Firhad Hakim

2021-12-28T08:46:34Z

2402:3A80:AB6:3E60:E7C4:73A2:D076:B153:

{{short description|Indian politician}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=March 2021}}
{{Infobox Indian politician
| name = Firhad Hakim
| image = Firhad Hakim.jpg
| caption = Firhad Hakim
| birth_date = {{birth-date and age|1 January 1959}}<ref name="PK"/>
| birth_place = [[Kolkata]], [[West Bengal]], [[India]]
| residence = [[Chetla]], Kolkata - 700027<ref>{{cite web |title=Dial M for MLA |url=https://www.telegraphindia.com/states/west-bengal/dial-m-for-mla/cid/1277119 |work=Telegraph India |access-date=20 January 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190120194523/https://www.telegraphindia.com/states/west-bengal/dial-m-for-mla/cid/1277119 |archive-date=20 January 2019 |url-status=live }}</ref>
| death_date =
| death_place =
| office = 38th [[Mayor of Kolkata]]
| term_start = 28 December 2021
| constituency = [[Ward No. 82, Kolkata Municipal Corporation|Ward No. 82]]
| term_end =
| predecessor = ''himself'' {{small|(as Chairman of Board of Administrators)}}
| deputy = [[Atin Ghosh]]
| term_start1 = 3 December 2018
| term_end1 = 7 May 2020
| predecessor1 = [[Sovan Chatterjee]]
| successor1 = ''himself'' {{small|(as Chairman of Board of Administrators)}}
| deputy1 = [[Atin Ghosh]]
| constituency1 = [[Ward No. 82, Kolkata Municipal Corporation|Ward No. 82]]
| office2 = [[Third Banerjee ministry|Cabinet Minister]], [[Government of West Bengal]]
| governor2 = [[Jagdeep Dhankhar]]
| 1blankname2 = [[List of Chief Minister of West Bengal|Chief Minister]]
| 1namedata2 = [[Mamata Banerjee]]
| 2blankname2 = Department
| 2namedata2 = * [[Department of Transport (West Bengal)|Transport]]
* Housing
| term_start2 = 10 May 2021
| term_end2 =
| constituency2 =
| predecessor2 = [[Suvendu Adhikari]] (''Transport'') [[Chandrima Bhattacharya]] (''Housing'')
| governor3 = [[Jagdeep Dhankhar]] [[Keshari Nath Tripathi]]
| 1blankname3 = [[List of Chief Minister of West Bengal|Chief Minister]]
| 1namedata3 = [[Mamata Banerjee]]
| 2blankname3 = Department
| 2namedata3 = * [[Department of Urban Development and Municipal Affairs|Urban Development and Municipal Affairs]]
| term_start3 = 20 May 2011
| term_end3 = 5 May 2021
| constituency3 =
| predecessor3 = [[Ashok Bhattacharya]]
| successor3 = [[Chandrima Bhattacharya]]
| office4 = [[Member of the Legislative Assembly (India)|Member of Legislative Assembly]], [[West Bengal Legislative Assembly|West Bengal]]
| term_start4 = 13 May 2011
| term_end4 =
| constituency4 = [[Kolkata Port (Vidhan Sabha constituency)|Kolkata Port]]
| predecessor4 = ''Constituency created''
| successor4 =
| term_start5 = 10 November 2009
| term_end5 = 13 May 2011
| constituency5 = [[Alipore (Vidhan Sabha constituency)|Alipore]]
| predecessor5 = [[Tapas Paul]]
| successor5 = ''Constituency Abolished''
| office6 = Chairman of Board of Administrators, [[Kolkata Municipal Corporation]]
|term_start6 = 7 May 2021
| term_end6 = 24 December 2021
|predecessor6 =Khalil Ahmed
|successor6 = ''himself'' {{small|(as Mayor of Kolkata)}}
| term_start7 = 8 May 2020
| term_end7 = 22 March 2021
| predecessor7 = ''himself'' {{small|(as Mayor of Kolkata)}}
| successor7 = Khalil Ahmed
| party = [[All India Trinamool Congress]]
| otherparty = [[Indian National Congress]] (until 1998)
| college =
| spouse = Ismat Hakim
| children = 3
| alma_mater = [[Heramba Chandra College]] ([[BCom]])
| faculty =
| website =
| source =
| blank1 = Other names
| data1 = Bobby Da
}}

'''Firhad Hakim''' ([[Bengali language|Bengali]]: ফিরহাদ হাকিম; born 1 January 1959) is an Indian politician serving as [[Cabinet Minister]] of [[Department of Transport (West Bengal)|Transport]] and Housing, [[Government of West Bengal]]. He was Minister in Charge for [[Department of Urban Development and Municipal Affairs|Urban Development and Municipal Affairs]] for 10 years. He is also serving as the [[Mayors of Kolkata|Mayor of Kolkata]] which is the third largest [[Megacity]] in [[India]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.kmcgov.in/KMCPortal/jsp/mmic.jsp|title=Official Website of Kolkata Municipal Corporation|website=www.kmcgov.in|access-date=2020-03-21}}</ref> He is a member of the [[All India Trinamool Congress]] party.

Hakim was elected to the [[West Bengal Legislative Assembly]] in 2009. Two years later, he became a cabinet minister in the [[Mamata Banerjee ministry (2011–2015)|Mamata Banerjee ministry]]. In December 2018, he was appointed mayor following the resignation of the incumbent [[Sovan Chatterjee]].

==Personal life==
Hakim's grandfather migrated from the [[Gaya district]] of [[Bihar]] to [[Kolkata]] and started his business. His father, Abdul Hakim, was a law officer for the [[Port of Kolkata|Kolkata Port Trust]]. He is married to Ismat Hakim. They have three daughters—Priyadarshini, Shabba and Afsha.<ref name="PK">{{cite web |title=ভাবী মেয়র ফিরহাদ হাকিম সম্পর্কে যে তথগুলি আপনি জানেন না |trans-title=Information about the mayor-elect Firhad Hakim which you do not know |url=https://puberkalom.com/kolkata/unknown-info-about-next-mayor/9420/ |publisher=Puber Kolom |access-date=20 January 2019 |language=bn |date=23 November 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190120124831/https://puberkalom.com/kolkata/unknown-info-about-next-mayor/9420/ |archive-date=20 January 2019 |url-status=live }}</ref> They live in [[Chetla]], a neighborhood of [[South Kolkata]].<ref name="BBC">{{cite web |last1=Bhattashali |first1=Amitabha |title=ফিরহাদ হাকিম: স্বাধীনতা-উত্তর কলকাতার এই প্রথম মুসলমান মেয়র ঠিক কেমন মানুষ? |trans-title=Firhad Hakim: Who is this first Muslim mayor of post-independence Kolkata |url=https://www.bbc.com/bengali/news-46305016 |publisher=[[BBC]] |access-date=20 January 2019 |language=bn |date=23 November 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190120201524/https://www.bbc.com/bengali/news-46305016 |archive-date=20 January 2019 |url-status=live }}</ref> He is nicknamed Bobby after the Australian cricketer [[Bob Simpson (cricketer)|Bobby Simpson]].<ref name="Dawn"/>

Hakim graduated from [[Heramba Chandra College]] with a degree in commerce.<ref name="Two Circles"/> He is the organizer-in-chief of the Chetla Agrani [[Durga Puja]] committee.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Chakrabarti |first1=Rakhi |title=Club rivalry peaks in Kolkata as Puja nears |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/kolkata/Club-rivalry-peaks-in-Kolkata-as-Puja-nears/articleshow/48417789.cms |work=[[The Times of India]] |access-date=20 January 2019 |date=10 August 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180408093217/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/kolkata/Club-rivalry-peaks-in-Kolkata-as-Puja-nears/articleshow/48417789.cms |archive-date=8 April 2018 |url-status=live }}</ref>

==Minister of West Bengal==
In the late 1990s, Hakim was first elected as a councilor of the [[Kolkata Municipal Corporation]].<ref name="BBC"/> On 11 November 2009, he was elected to the [[West Bengal Legislative Assembly]] from the [[Alipore (Vidhan Sabha constituency)|Alipore constituency]] after defeating [[Communist Party of India (Marxist)|Communist Party]] candidate, Kaustav Chatterjee by a margin of 27,555 votes in the by-poll.<ref>{{cite web |title=Bypolls: Left crumbles, Maya stages a comeback |url=http://news.rediff.com/report/2009/nov/10/kerala-rajastahn-bypoll-trends.htm |work=[[Rediff.com]] |access-date=20 January 2019 |date=11 November 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190120144237/http://news.rediff.com/report/2009/nov/10/kerala-rajastahn-bypoll-trends.htm |archive-date=20 January 2019 |url-status=live }}</ref>

In the [[2011 West Bengal Legislative Assembly election]], Hakim won from the [[Kolkata Port (Vidhan Sabha constituency)|Kolkata Port constituency]] as a candidate of the [[All India Trinamool Congress]]. He received 63,866 votes and defeated his nearest rival Moinuddin Shams of the [[All India Forward Bloc]] by a margin of 25,033 votes.<ref>{{cite web |title=Kolkata port constituency election results 2011 : Firhad Hakim AITC WINS - West Bengal |url=https://www.newsreporter.in/kolkata-port-constituency-election-results-2011-firhad-hakim-aitc-wins-west-bengal |publisher=News Reporter |access-date=20 January 2019 |date=13 May 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190120144159/https://www.newsreporter.in/kolkata-port-constituency-election-results-2011-firhad-hakim-aitc-wins-west-bengal |archive-date=20 January 2019 |url-status=live }}</ref> Subsequently, he became the [[Department of Urban Development and Municipal Affairs|Minister of Urban Development and Municipal Affairs]] in the [[Mamata Banerjee ministry (2011–2015)|first Mamata Banerjee cabinet]].<ref name="Two Circles">{{cite web |last1=Haque |first1=Zaidul |title=Muslim Ministers of West Bengal: An introduction |url=http://twocircles.net/2011jun08/muslim_ministers_west_bengal_introduction.html |publisher=[[Two Circles]] |access-date=20 January 2019 |date=8 June 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181108025647/http://twocircles.net/2011jun08/muslim_ministers_west_bengal_introduction.html |archive-date=8 November 2018 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=10 crorepatis in Mamata's ministry |url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/kolkata/10-crorepatis-in-mamata-s-ministry/story-CC62pieZsujlJ0STXqWE7I.html |publisher=[[Hindustan Times]] |access-date=20 January 2019 |date=27 May 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180113151431/http://www.hindustantimes.com/kolkata/10-crorepatis-in-mamata-s-ministry/story-CC62pieZsujlJ0STXqWE7I.html |archive-date=13 January 2018 |url-status=live }}</ref>

On 3 March 2013, the Ultadanga Flyover (located in East Kolkata) collapsed, leaving three people injured. Hakim blamed a crack that was detected in the flyover as a reason behind the collapse. He said that the problem was "not related to maintenance but a technical fault in the bolt system".<ref>{{cite web |title=Large portion of Kolkata flyover collapses |url=https://www.ndtv.com/kolkata-news/large-portion-of-kolkata-flyover-collapses-514966 |publisher=[[NDTV India|NDTV]] |access-date=20 January 2019 |date=3 March 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190120194606/https://www.ndtv.com/kolkata-news/large-portion-of-kolkata-flyover-collapses-514966 |archive-date=20 January 2019 |url-status=live }}</ref> In June 2014, he announced that 22 new municipalities would be created in [[West Bengal]].<ref>{{cite web |title=West Bengal to Have 22 New Municipalities |url=https://www.outlookindia.com/newswire/story/west-bengal-to-have-22-new-municipalities/844153 |publisher=[[Outlook India]] |access-date=20 January 2019 |date=11 June 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180618025723/https://www.outlookindia.com/newswire/story/west-bengal-to-have-22-new-municipalities/844153 |archive-date=18 June 2018 |url-status=live }}</ref>

In the [[2016 West Bengal Legislative Assembly election]], Hakim defeated his nearest rival, Rakesh Singh of the [[Left Front (West Bengal)|Left Front]]-[[Indian National Congress]] alliance by a margin of 26,548 votes.<ref>{{cite web |title=LIST: 59 Muslim MLA elected in West Bengal assembly elections |url=https://archive.siasat.com/news/list-59-muslim-mlas-elected-west-bengal-assembly-elections-960624/ |work=[[The Siasat Daily]] |access-date=20 January 2019 |date=20 May 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190120145814/https://archive.siasat.com/news/list-59-muslim-mlas-elected-west-bengal-assembly-elections-960624/ |archive-date=20 January 2019 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=বন্দরে জোটের শক্তিও সমান। জয়ের অঙ্ক টলমলে ফিরহাদের |trans-title=The strength of the alliance is same is port. Firhad's win is not sure |url=https://ebela.in/state/tough-game-for-firhad-hakim-against-tmc-and-left-front-candidate-1.347832 |work=[[Ebela]] |access-date=20 January 2019 |language=bn |date=2 April 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190120194524/https://ebela.in/state/tough-game-for-firhad-hakim-against-tmc-and-left-front-candidate-1.347832 |archive-date=20 January 2019 |url-status=live }}</ref> On 16 June 2017, he was appointed chairman of the [[Tarakeswar]] Development Board.<ref>{{cite web |title=তারকেশ্বর উন্নয়ন বোর্ডের চেয়ারম্যানের দায়িত্ব পেলেন ফিরহাদ |trans-title=Firhad becomes the Chairman of Tarakeswar Development Board |url=https://ebela.in/state/firhad-hakim-becomes-the-chairman-of-tarakeswar-development-board-1.628957 |work=[[Ebela]] |access-date=20 January 2019 |language=bn |date=16 June 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190120144105/https://ebela.in/state/firhad-hakim-becomes-the-chairman-of-tarakeswar-development-board-1.628957 |archive-date=20 January 2019 |url-status=live }}</ref>

==Mayor of Kolkata==
On 20 November 2018, [[Sovan Chatterjee]], then [[Mayors of Kolkata|mayor of Kolkata]], resigned as a cabinet minister.<ref>{{cite web |title=শোভন-বৈশাখীর প্রেম, যে যে কারণে শেষ কয়েকমাস বিতর্কে ছিল এই জুটি |trans-title=Sovan-Baisakhi relationship, the reasons for which this couple was at the centre of a controversy for the last couple of months |url=https://bengali.news18.com/photogallery/does-sovan-chattapadhyas-alleged-relationship-with-baishakhi-chatterjee-play-role-in-his-resignation-238286.html |publisher=[[News 18]] |access-date=20 January 2019 |language=bn |date=20 November 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190120144417/https://bengali.news18.com/photogallery/does-sovan-chattapadhyas-alleged-relationship-with-baishakhi-chatterjee-play-role-in-his-resignation-238286.html |archive-date=20 January 2019 |url-status=live }}</ref> Two days later, he resigned from the post of the mayor of Kolkata.<ref>{{cite web |title=Two days after stepping down from Cabinet, Sovan Chatterjee resigns as Kolkata mayor |url=https://indianexpress.com/article/cities/kolkata/sovan-chatterjee-resigns-as-kolkata-mayor-5459360/ |work=[[The Indian Express]] |access-date=20 January 2019 |date=22 November 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190121010746/https://indianexpress.com/article/cities/kolkata/sovan-chatterjee-resigns-as-kolkata-mayor-5459360/ |archive-date=21 January 2019 |url-status=live }}</ref> Subsequently, Trinamool Congress announced that Hakim would be their mayoral candidate. The [[Government of West Bengal|state government]] passed the Kolkata Municipal Corporation (Second Amendment) Bill, 2018. This allows a candidate who is not a member of the Kolkata Municipal Corporation to be appointed mayor of the city, provided they are elected to the same within a period of six months.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Das |first1=Soumya |title=Kolkata Mayor resigns, Hakim is TMC's Mayoral candidate |url=https://www.deccanherald.com/national/kolkata-mayor-sovan-chatterjee-704348.html |work=[[Deccan Herald]] |access-date=20 January 2019 |date=22 November 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190120144109/https://www.deccanherald.com/national/kolkata-mayor-sovan-chatterjee-704348.html |archive-date=20 January 2019 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Minister Firhad Hakim New Mayor Of Kolkata After Sovan Chatterjee Quits |url=https://www.ndtv.com/kolkata-news/firhad-hakim-new-mayor-of-kolkata-municipal-corporation-as-sovan-chatterjee-resigns-1951805 |publisher=[[NDTV]] |access-date=20 January 2019 |date=22 November 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190120194508/https://www.ndtv.com/kolkata-news/firhad-hakim-new-mayor-of-kolkata-municipal-corporation-as-sovan-chatterjee-resigns-1951805 |archive-date=20 January 2019 |url-status=live }}</ref>

On 28 November 2018, Hakim filed his nomination.<ref>{{cite web |title=Hakim submits nomination for post of KMC Mayor |url=http://www.millenniumpost.in/kolkata/hakim-submits-nomination-for-post-of-kmc-mayor-329507 |work=Millennium Post |access-date=20 January 2019 |date=28 November 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190120144442/http://www.millenniumpost.in/kolkata/hakim-submits-nomination-for-post-of-kmc-mayor-329507 |archive-date=20 January 2019 |url-status=live }}</ref> The following day the [[Bharatiya Janata Party]] announced Mina Debi Purohit (former deputy mayor) as their mayoral candidate.<ref>{{cite web |title=BJP joins battle for Calcutta mayor post |url=https://www.telegraphindia.com/states/west-bengal/bjp-joins-battle-for-calcutta-mayor-post/cid/1676947 |work=[[The Telegraph (Calcutta)|The Telegraph]] |access-date=20 January 2019 |date=29 November 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190120144140/https://www.telegraphindia.com/states/west-bengal/bjp-joins-battle-for-calcutta-mayor-post/cid/1676947 |archive-date=20 January 2019 |url-status=live }}</ref> He secured 121 votes while Purohit received five votes; Hakim was elected mayor.<ref name="Mayor">{{cite web |author1=Subhajoy Roy |author2=Sandip Chowdhury |title=WhatsApp is Calcutta mayor Hakim's medium |url=https://www.telegraphindia.com/states/west-bengal/calcutta-s-new-mayor-releases-whatsapp-number-for-people-to-complain-about-civic-issues/cid/1677554 |work=The Telegraph |access-date=20 January 2019 |date=4 December 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190120194517/https://www.telegraphindia.com/states/west-bengal/calcutta-s-new-mayor-releases-whatsapp-number-for-people-to-complain-about-civic-issues/cid/1677554 |archive-date=20 January 2019 |url-status=live }}</ref> He became the first Muslim since the [[independence of India]] to be elected mayor of Kolkata.<ref name="BBC"/><ref>{{cite web |title=Kolkata gets its first Muslim mayor, Firhad Hakim |url=https://indianexpress.com/article/cities/kolkata/kolkata-gets-its-first-muslim-mayor-firhad-hakim-5476934/ |work=[[The Indian Express]] |access-date=20 January 2019 |date=3 December 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190120144119/https://indianexpress.com/article/cities/kolkata/kolkata-gets-its-first-muslim-mayor-firhad-hakim-5476934/ |archive-date=20 January 2019 |url-status=live }}</ref>

On getting elected, Hakim said that "pollution and environment are two areas" on which he would like to work. He also setup a [[WhatsApp]] number, promising to act on complaints received on that mobile number.<ref name="Mayor"/> Making Kolkata cleaner and greener, ensuring a continuous supply of drinking water to the city, building toilets in slums and making the slums "model residential areas" were his priorities as mayor.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Chowdhury |first1=Sandip |title=Mayor Firhad Hakim outlines his plan for Calcutta |url=https://www.telegraphindia.com/states/west-bengal/mayor-firhad-hakim-outlines-his-plan-for-calcutta/cid/1677702 |work=[[The Telegraph (Calcutta)|The Telegraph]] |access-date=20 January 2019 |date=5 December 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190120194523/https://www.telegraphindia.com/states/west-bengal/mayor-firhad-hakim-outlines-his-plan-for-calcutta/cid/1677702 |archive-date=20 January 2019 |url-status=live }}</ref>

In January 2019, it was announced that Hakim would contest [[Ward No. 82, Kolkata Municipal Corporation|ward no. 82]] of the Kolkata Municipal Corporation.<ref>{{cite web |title=৮২ নং ওয়ার্ডে আজ উপনির্বাচন, ভোটের লড়াইয়ে ফিরহাদ হাকিম |trans-title=There is by-election in Ward no.82 today, Firhad Hakim in the fight for votes |url=https://bengali.news18.com/news/by-poll-election-is-going-on-82-no-ward-257242.html |publisher=News 18 |access-date=20 January 2019 |language=bn |date=6 January 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190120144227/https://bengali.news18.com/news/by-poll-election-is-going-on-82-no-ward-257242.html |archive-date=20 January 2019 |url-status=live }}</ref> In a by-election, he won the ward and defeated his nearest rival Jiban Sen of the Bharatiya Janata Party by a margin of 13,987 votes; Hakim received 16,564 votes.<ref>{{cite web |title=Kolkata Mayor bypoll result: TMC Minister Firhad Hakim re-elected, defeats BJP candidate by 14,000 votes |url=http://www.newindianexpress.com/nation/2019/jan/09/kolkata-mayor-bypoll-result-tmc-minister-firhad-hakim-re-elected-defeats-bjp-candidate-by-14000-v-1922748.html |work=[[The New Indian Express]] |access-date=20 January 2019 |date=9 January 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190121010752/http://www.newindianexpress.com/nation/2019/jan/09/kolkata-mayor-bypoll-result-tmc-minister-firhad-hakim-re-elected-defeats-bjp-candidate-by-14000-v-1922748.html |archive-date=21 January 2019 |url-status=live }}</ref> The term of the Kolkata Municipal Corporation expired on 7 May 2020, however due to the [[COVID-19 pandemic]], elections couldn't be held on time to elect the new councillors of the KMC and was delayed.<ref name=BOA2020/> On 8 May 2020, Hakim was appointed as Chairman of Board of Administrators of the Kolkata Municipal Corporation.<ref name=BOA2020>{{Cite web|title=Firhad Hakim appointed as chairperson of board of administrators of KMC|url=https://www.aninews.in/news/national/general-news/firhad-hakim-appointed-as-chairperson-of-board-of-administrators-of-kmc20200506204211/|access-date=2021-03-20|website=ANI News|language=en}}</ref> He resigned as Chairman of Board of Administrators of KMC on 22 March 2021 after the [[Election Commission of India]] (ECI) has restrained political appointees serving as board administrators of West Bengal municipal corporations, ahead of the [[2021 West Bengal Legislative Assembly election]].<ref>{{Cite web|title=Trinamool's Firhad Hakim Quits As Kolkata Civic Body Chief Ahead Of Polls|url=https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/west-bengal-assembly-polls-tmcs-firhad-hakim-steps-down-as-kolkata-municipal-corporation-chairman-2396170|access-date=2021-03-24|website=NDTV.com}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=Firhad Hakim resigns from Kolkata Municipality Corporation Board|url=https://newsable.asianetnews.com/west-bengal-election/firhad-hakim-resigns-from-kolkata-municipality-corporation-board-dbr-qqd0gg|access-date=2021-03-24|website=Asianet News Network Pvt Ltd|language=en}}</ref> He was succeeded by [[Indian Administrative Service|IAS]] Khalil Ahmed.<ref>{{Cite web|title=IAS Khalil Ahmed appointed administrator of Kolkata Municipal Corporation|url=https://www.newindianexpress.com/cities/kolkata/2021/mar/22/ias-khalil-ahmed-appointed-administrator-of-kolkata-municipal-corporation-2280028.html|access-date=2021-03-24|website=The New Indian Express}}</ref>

==Controversies==
In 2016, the [[Narada sting operation]] video was released in which Hakim was seen allegedly taking bribes.<ref>{{cite web |title=I spy with my little eye... |url=https://www.telegraphindia.com/7-days/i-spy-with-my-little-eye/cid/1314596 |work=The Telegraph |access-date=20 January 2019 |date=3 April 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190120144155/https://www.telegraphindia.com/7-days/i-spy-with-my-little-eye/cid/1314596 |archive-date=20 January 2019 |url-status=live }}</ref> On 19 September 2017, he was questioned for eight hours by the [[Central Bureau of Investigation]] at [[Nizam Palace (Kolkata)|Nizam Palace]] about the sting operation. Hakim said that the CBI probe was a "political conspiracy" against his party and that "he was not seen taking cash in any of the footage".

Before the 2016 West Bengal Legislative Assembly election, Hakim, while speaking to Maleeha Hamid Sidiqqui of Pakistani newspaper ''[[Dawn (newspaper)|Dawn]]'', referred to his constituency as "mini-Pakistan".<ref name="Dawn">{{cite web |last1=Siddiqui |first1=Maleeha Hamid |title=Canvassing in 'mini-Pakistan' of Kolkata |url=https://www.dawn.com/news/1255178 |work=[[Dawn (newspaper)|Dawn]] |access-date=20 January 2019 |date=29 April 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181122172953/https://www.dawn.com/news/1255178 |archive-date=22 November 2018 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="IT">{{cite web |title=TMC minister Firhad Hakim defends 'mini-Pakistan' comment, calls it a communal conspiracy |url=https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/tmc-minister-firhad-hakim-defends-mini-pakistan-comment-calls-it-communal-conspiracy-320856-2016-04-30 |work=[[India Today]] |access-date=20 January 2019 |date=30 April 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190120144507/https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/tmc-minister-firhad-hakim-defends-mini-pakistan-comment-calls-it-communal-conspiracy-320856-2016-04-30 |archive-date=20 January 2019 |url-status=live }}</ref> However, he denied making such a statement. He said "she (the Pakistani journalist) only asked me that this place looks like [[Karachi]] of Pakistan. I did not make any comment".<ref>{{cite web |title=After 'mini Pakistan' controversy, Firhad Hakim denies comments to Pak newspaper |url=https://www.dnaindia.com/india/report-after-mini-pakistan-controversy-firhad-hakim-denies-comments-to-pak-newspaper-2207704 |work=[[Dna India]] |access-date=20 January 2019 |date=30 April 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190120144334/https://www.dnaindia.com/india/report-after-mini-pakistan-controversy-firhad-hakim-denies-comments-to-pak-newspaper-2207704 |archive-date=20 January 2019 |url-status=live }}</ref> He also said that he was "being targeted for being a Muslim and that it was a communal conspiracy".<ref name="IT"/>

At the time of 2021 West Bengal Assembly election, a video goes viral on social media, where Firhad Hakim is seen abusing India's central forces. In this context, the Election Commission made a show cause to Firhad Hakim. Although Firhad Hakim denies it.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://zeenews.india.com/bengali/kolkata/wb-assembly-election-2021-ec-showcause-firhad-hakim_379532.html }}</ref>

On 17 May 2021, he along with senior minister [[Subrata Mukherjee]], MLA and former minister [[Madan Mitra]] and former Mayor of Kolkata [[Sovan Chatterjee]] has been arrested by [[Central Bureau of Investigation]] from their house in connection with the [[Narada sting operation]].<ref>{{cite web |title=Narada bribery case: 2 ministers, 1 MLA arrested, Mamata rushes to CBI office|url=https://indianexpress.com/article/cities/kolkata/firhad-hakim-among-tmc-leaders-detained-by-cbi-in-narada-case-7318174/|work=[[Indian Express]]|access-date=17 May 2021|date=17 May 2021}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=2 Bengal Ministers, TMC MLA Held in Narada Sting Case; Mamata Reaches CBI Office Amid Row|url=https://www.news18.com/news/politics/bengal-minister-firhad-hakim-says-being-taken-into-custody-in-narada-scam-case-cbi-denies-claim-3745220.html|work=[[News 18]]|access-date=17 May 2021|date=17 May 2021}}</ref>

==References==
{{reflist}}

{{West Bengal Legislative Assembly2}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Hakim, Bobby}}
[[Category:1959 births]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:Indian Muslims]]
[[Category:West Bengal politicians]]
[[Category:State cabinet ministers of West Bengal]]
[[Category:Mayors of Kolkata]]
[[Category:Heramba Chandra College alumni]]
[[Category:University of Calcutta alumni]]

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Firhad Hakim