Kolkata, May 20 (IANS) Four-time Trinamool Congress legislator and former minister in the previous Mamata Banerjee-led West Bengal Cabinet, Firhad Hakim, who continues to be the Mayor of Kolkata Municipal Corporation (KMC), on Wednesday denied having knowledge of the corporation initiating a probe against properties allegedly owned or co-owned by Trinamool Congress General Secretary, Abhishek Banerjee.

The KMC had reportedly served notices under Section 400(1) of the KMC Act, 1980 to 17 properties owned or co-owned by the Trinamool’s Lok Sabha MP, Abhishek Banerjee, in areas within the KMC’s jurisdiction. Section 400(1) allows owners of allegedly illegal constructions an opportunity to appear before civic authorities and present their case.

Mayor Firhad Hakim also denied having any knowledge about such notices being served.

“Under the KMC Act, I am just a policymaker. I have no idea about such notices. No one had informed me about his development also,” Hakim told media persons on Wednesday afternoon.

He also clarified that the KMC Commissioner, who is a bureaucrat, has the authority to take decisions in such matters.

“No one had informed me of anything on this issue. The Mayor of KMC cannot influence the decision of the buildings department of the corporation on which house to be demolished. The KMC Commissioner by virtue of the post had the authority to take such decisions,” the Mayor said.

Incidentally, at a meeting of the newly-elected Trinamool Congress legislators on Tuesday afternoon, which was chaired by former Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee at her residence at Kalighat in South Kolkata, Abhishek Banerjee was also present.

He reportedly said at the meeting that whatever happens, he would not bow down to the new BJP-led regime in the state.

“Let them do whatever they like. They can send me notices. They can even demolish my house. But I will never bow down. Come what may, I will continue my fight against the BJP,” Abhishek Banerjee reportedly said at the meeting.

Meanwhile, the West Bengal unit of the BJP had released a list of 43 properties which the saffron camp alleged were linked to Abhishek Banerjee. Trinamool Congress, however, described the list as fabricated and lacking credibility.

–IANS

src/rad