Sovan Chatterjee: A notable comeback
After a seven-year political exile; The government appointed Sovan Chatterjee as the chairman of the New Town Kolkata Development Authority (NKDA) on Friday. Consequently, his return to his original party has sparked new speculations in the state politics. Moreover, his appointment as NKDA chairman stands as a significant indication. Thus, he will have lateral re-induction into the TMC machinery amid high tension pre-election development.
Nevertheless, he had been the Former Kolkata Mayor and occupied various administrative posts in the crucial time of TMC. Hence, Observers view this appointment as a strategic move by the TMC to leverage Chatterjee’s extensive experience in urban governance.
It also implies that Mamata Banerjee has wisely decided to keep her faith on senior leaders who had accompanied her in the tough times. Sovan Chatterjee once figured among Banerjee’s most trusted aides and the a very close personal relationship also. As a result, Political observers see the move as a signal of widespread rumor; that Mamata Banerjee has been facing a tough time and expresses her tension and nervousness ahead of 2026 assembly election. Moreover, if a Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of Voter Lists takes places before the election, it may cast a spell on her vote bank.
Turmoil of Sovan Chatterjee
Significantly, Sovan Chatterjee stepped down from his role of minister, mayor, and party office-bearer amid differences with the leadership over a personal episode of hobnobbing relationship with Baisakhi Bandopadhyay. Both joined the BJP party, but the stint with the saffron party was significantly small. Conversely, his legal wife Ratna Chatterjee has become the MLA from his Behala East constituency, which he left behind.
Indeed, many say the New Town Kolkata Development Authority (NKDA) has become a gold mine for the TMC because of the extensive development there. However, critics claim the default link of NKDA with extortion and malpractices. They also argue that Chatterjee has proved his loyalty and trustworthiness to the party supremo. His meeting with Abhishek Banerjee, followed by a closed-door meeting with Mamata Banerjee, signaled his comeback.
So, only the formal announcement was pending. Hence, the announcement on Friday has turned the possibility into a reality. Chatterjee’s re-entry into the administrative fold highlights the TMC’s strategy to capitalize on his expertise while paving the way for his full political rehabilitation.
The return of the veteran mayor has fueled Mamata Banerjee’s desperation to reshuffle the administration. Many within the party believe the appointment also serves as a message to current Kolkata Mayor Firhad Hakim and other senior party members.
This may also be a strategy for Abhishek to welcome Shovan Chatterjee to screw up the senior leaders, who remains in the close circle of Mamata Banerjee. Its really unknown, how the party cadres at different level accept this sudden inclusion, but in TMC, everybody has to follow Mamata Banerjee’s dictate.
A Caution Message
As for Sovan Chatterjee, he would do well to tread carefully. The proverb goes, “An old man with a young wife carries a burden he cannot bear.” His Achilles’ heel, long exposed by personal controversies, may still test his political resilience in the days ahead.
