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Former Kolkata Mayor Firhad Hakim speaks about his assessment of Mamata Banerjee’s leadership, his tenure as Mayor, and why he believes youth should enter electoral politics
TMC leader Firhad Hakim with former West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee. (Facebook)
Former Kolkata Mayor Firhad Hakim has said that he will no longer contest municipal elections, while expressing his disappointment over what he described as the party’s failure to utilise him over the past five years.
In an exclusive conversation with News18, Hakim spoke about his political journey, his relationship with former Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, and his views on the future of the Trinamool Congress (TMC).
Hakim said he continued to stand by Mamata Banerjee but felt that her supporters had not received the importance they deserved. He stressed on the point that Mamata gave importance to blood.
“We never abandoned Mamata Banerjee. The problem began when she started trusting her own blood more than her supporters. We were all there for her, but she chose to bring one leader in a helicopter,” he said.
‘PERHAPS SUVENDU ADHIKARI WOULD HAVE BECOME TMC’S CHIEF MINISTER’
Reflecting on the importance of political loyalty and the role of supporters, Hakim suggested that a different approach could have altered the party’s leadership trajectory. “If the supporters had been given importance, perhaps we would have seen Suvendu Adhikari as the TMC’s Chief Minister,” he said.
Hakim’s remarks come against the backdrop of his comments on the importance of recognising party workers and supporters who have stood by the leadership.
At A Glance
Former Kolkata Mayor Firhad Hakim announced that he will no longer contest municipal elections.
Hakim identified improvements in water supply and efforts to address waterlogging as his biggest achievements as mayor.
Hakim stated that the party has not utilized him effectively over the past five years.
Hakim cited a building collapse incident as his biggest regret during his mayoral tenure.
‘THE PARTY HAS NOT USED ME FOR FIVE YEARS’
Explaining his disappointment with the party, Hakim said he felt he had not been given an adequate role in recent years. “The party has not used me for the last five years,” he said.
He also said he had missed Mamata Banerjee during the Durga Puja festivities but indicated that he would speak to her when they meet. “Yes, I missed Mamata Banerjee during the Puja. However, I will speak to her when we meet,” Hakim said.
WATER SUPPLY, PREVENTING WATERLOGGING AMONG HIS BIGGEST ACHIEVEMENTS
Recalling his tenure as Kolkata Mayor, Hakim identified improvements in water supply and efforts to address waterlogging as his key achievements. “As Mayor, my biggest achievements were addressing water scarcity and resolving waterlogging problems across large parts of North Kolkata,” he said.
However, he also identified the building collapse incident as his biggest regret during his tenure, while maintaining that the incident was not directly under his control. “My biggest regret as Mayor was the building collapse, although it was not something that was under my direct control,” he said.
‘YOUNGER GENERATION SHOULD CONTEST ELECTIONS’
Hakim called on the younger generation to enter electoral politics but cautioned against treating municipal politics as a route to commercial gain. “The younger generation should contest elections. However, people prefer councillors who are accessible and responsive to their needs. They should not enter politics to get into the business of bricks, sand and cement,” he said.
His remarks underline the importance he places on accessibility and public service in municipal representatives.
‘I WILL NOT IMPOSE POLITICS ON MY FAMILY’
Hakim also said he would not pressure members of his family to enter politics. “I will not impose my political ambitions on my family or pressure any family member to enter politics,” he said.
His comments come as he signals an end to his own electoral ambitions in municipal politics. Firhad Hakim’s decision not to contest municipal elections, along with his remarks about the party’s treatment of him, Mamata Banerjee’s inner circle and the role of the next generation, marks a significant statement from a senior TMC leader and former Kolkata Mayor.
Quick Answers
Ask News18Former Kolkata Mayor Firhad Hakim expressed disappointment that Trinamool Congress chief Mamata Banerjee began trusting her own blood over loyal supporters, stating she chose to bring leaders in by helicopter rather than valuing those who stood by her.
Ask News18About the Author
Kamalika Sengupta is the Editor (East) at CNN-News18 / News18.com, focusing on politics, defence, and women’s issues. She is a seasoned multimedia journalist with over 20 years of experience reporting…Read More
October 25, 2026, 12:32 IST
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