Who Is Firhad Hakim, Close Mamata Banerjee Aide Who Quit As Kolkata Mayor

Mamata Banerjee faced a major split within her Trinamool Congress, with 59 of 80 MLAs supporting rebel leader Ritabrata Banerjee. The party also saw the resignation of Firhad Hakim as Kolkata Mayor after around 100 councillors deserted the party. Hakim had previously offered his resignation but was initially refused by Mamata Banerjee. Senior Trinamool leader Kunal Ghosh confirmed that Hakim's decision to resign was made with dignity and that Mamata Banerjee eventually agreed to it. The split comes after an administrative meeting at the state secretariat Nabanna, where several Trinamool MLAs attended, including Hakim.