📷 Image: Wikimedia Commons / Joydeep
Education
BJP MPs, MLAs named heads of 200+ West Bengal college governing bodies, TMC cries bias
✍️ Amar Ujala · Maharashtra
🗓 23 Aug 2026, 09:17 PM
👁 2
The Trinamool Congress has condemned the West Bengal government's decision to appoint Bharatiya Janata Party legislators as chairpersons of more than 200 college governing bodies, calling it partisan bias.
West Bengal's education department announced that over 200 colleges will have their governing bodies headed by sitting BJP members of parliament and state legislators. The appointments, made under the state's recent policy to involve elected representatives in academic administration, place party affiliates at the helm of institutions ranging from arts colleges to technical institutes.
The ruling All India Trinamool Congress (TMC) has sharply criticised the move, alleging that the government is favouring the opposition by granting them control over key educational bodies. Party spokespersons argued that such placements could influence academic decisions and undermine the autonomy of the colleges.
State officials, however, defended the decision, stating that involving elected representatives ensures better accountability and alignment with public policy goals. No further details on the selection criteria or the specific colleges involved were released at the time of the announcement.
The controversy adds to the growing political tussle in the state, where education governance has become a flashpoint between the TMC-led administration and the BJP, which seeks greater influence in regional institutions.
Observers note that the appointments could set a precedent for other states, prompting debates on the appropriate role of politicians in managing educational institutions.
The ruling All India Trinamool Congress (TMC) has sharply criticised the move, alleging that the government is favouring the opposition by granting them control over key educational bodies. Party spokespersons argued that such placements could influence academic decisions and undermine the autonomy of the colleges.
State officials, however, defended the decision, stating that involving elected representatives ensures better accountability and alignment with public policy goals. No further details on the selection criteria or the specific colleges involved were released at the time of the announcement.
The controversy adds to the growing political tussle in the state, where education governance has become a flashpoint between the TMC-led administration and the BJP, which seeks greater influence in regional institutions.
Observers note that the appointments could set a precedent for other states, prompting debates on the appropriate role of politicians in managing educational institutions.