Firhad to lose HIDCO post? CM Mamata likely to oversee department

The Housing Infrastructure Development Corporation (HIDCO) is set to undergo a significant administrative shift. Speculations are rife that HIDCO will soon come under the Department of Personnel and Administrative Reforms (PAR), a department often directly managed by Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee. Currently, HIDCO operates under the Urban Development Department, with Firhad Hakim as its chairman. However, government sources indicate that the Chief Minister has informed Hakim of this impending change.

HIDCO’s new alignment under PAR has raised questions about its leadership. While there has been no formal announcement, administrative insiders suggest that Mamata Banerjee might take charge of HIDCO herself or appoint someone else to the chairman's position. This move aligns with a broader trend observed in the state government, where key infrastructure and urban development projects are increasingly overseen directly by departments under the Chief Minister's purview.

One of HIDCO’s flagship projects, the Digha Jagannath Cultural Center, which is being built as a temple, has added to the intrigue. Political analysts believe that Firhad Hakim’s controversial comments on minority and majority issues might have contributed to this reshuffle. If Hakim had remained on the board of trustees for the cultural center, it could have triggered further debates.

Reacting to his removal as HIDCO Chairman, Firhad Hakim commented, “It is Mamata Didi’s party and government. She can make or remove anyone she wants.” Hakim downplayed the implications of the decision, stating that he remains committed to the responsibilities assigned to him by the Trinamool Congress. “I am and will always remain a soldier of Trinamool,” he said, adding that his current roles as Mayor and Minister were more than sufficient.

This reshuffle also signals a growing centralization of administrative powers within the Chief Minister's office. As HIDCO comes under PAR, it remains to be seen whether Mamata Banerjee will take direct charge or appoint a trusted lieutenant to oversee operations.

For now, the decision appears to be a strategic move to consolidate oversight of key infrastructure projects and preempt any potential controversies. The formal announcement is awaited, but the administrative circles are abuzz with speculation about the future of HIDCO’s leadership.