A major rift has surfaced within the BJP-led Kailashahar Municipal Council as Chairperson Chapala Rani Debroy publicly accused Vice-Chairman Nitish Dey of stalling the construction of women- and child-friendly toilets under a centrally funded project.
Addressing a press conference at the Municipal Council’s conference hall, Debroy alleged that despite unprecedented development work under the current council, the Vice-Chairman has deliberately halted the construction of six “Pink Toilets” across Kailashahar — an initiative meant to provide hygienic sanitation facilities for women and children. “By obstructing these toilets, the Vice-Chairman has disrespected the women of Kailashahar,” she said.
The press meet was attended by CEO Pradip Sarkar, Deputy CEO Biswajit Das, Councillors Joydeep Das, Siddhartha Roy, Manashi Roy, and Town Supervisor Manish Das.
Debroy highlighted the achievements of the council during her four-year tenure, which include the construction of concrete roads, drains, public water supply systems, office buildings, and park renovations. She also announced upcoming projects such as a ₹10-crore marketplace in Paiturbazar and an electric crematorium in Longlirpahar set for inauguration next month.
In 2024, a formal meeting of the council — attended by both Debroy and Dey — had unanimously approved the installation of six pink toilets across the town. Each unit, costing around ₹8.5 lakh, is fully funded by the central government under a flagship scheme. Notably, Vice-Chairman Dey himself had proposed one such toilet at Kargil Corner.
However, according to Debroy, once construction began at that very site, Dey, along with BJP Mandal President Pritam Ghosh, abruptly stopped the work without consulting the council or the administration. They reportedly informed local media that the construction was unauthorized — a claim Debroy refuted by producing official records and Dey’s own signature on the July 2024 resolution.
Debroy also clarified that prior permissions and No Objection Certificates (NOCs) had been obtained from both the Ex-Servicemen’s Association and Lions Club, located near the construction site.
The incident sparked public outrage on social media and drew the attention of the State Women’s Commission and Child Protection Commission, who have since sought explanations from the council and directed the resumption of work.
Debroy didn’t mince words in criticizing the local BJP leadership, accusing Mandal President Ghosh of interfering in multiple council initiatives. “If the state leadership doesn’t intervene soon, members are prepared to move a no-confidence motion,” she warned.
The controversy has exposed growing internal discord within the BJP’s Kailashahar unit, raising questions over governance and cooperation within the municipal council.
