Anindita Mukherjee on Friday took charge as Durgapur’s first woman mayor after her predecessor Dilip Agasty resigned last week citing ill health.

Mukherjee had been Agasty’s deputy.

Sources said Mamata Banerjee picked Mukherjee, the wife of veteran Trinamul leader in West Burdwan and former Durgapur mayor Apurba Mukherjee, because of her “clean and honest” image and her acceptability among rival factions and councillors.

The term of the current Durgapur civic board will, however, end in four months. The civic election is scheduled in April 2022.

Trinamul insiders said Mamata was annoyed with Agasty and described him as “good for nothing” last year. She had reportedly asked transport minister Firhad Hakim to remove Agasty from the post in an administrative review meeting at Nabanna last year.