Former Kolkata Municipal Corporation office-bearer Sovan Chatterjee will be the city’s new mayor.
Chatterjee, who was member, mayor-in-council (water supply) in the Trinamool Congress-BJP board between 2000 and 2005 in the civic body, was announced as the party’s choice as mayor at a
short function on Sunday overseen by Trinamool chief Mamata Banerjee.
The names of the deputy mayor, leader of the municipal party and KMC chairman were also announced.
Chatterjee promised to act promptly to nurture the city’s heritage, which, he alleged, was neglected by the outgoing Left board and the state government.
“We must not tarnish the historical significance of Kolkata, once the capital of British-India,” he said. “Apart from regular civic services to the citizens, I would look into heritage conservation.”
The overriding theme of the evening seemed to be the impending assembly polls of 2011, with Banerjee instructing all Trinamool councillors to start work immediately as the monsoon was expected to hit the city in the next few days, and she wanted to minimize the city’s water-logging problems.
“I know it would be technically difficult for you to start work before taking oath,” she said. “But the monsoon is knocking at the door, and we just cannot wait for formalities.”
Chatterjee added, “I’m still a Borough chairman and in that capacity I’ve already asked KMC officials to keep open the control room as the monsoon is about to get an official entry this week.”