Malda zilla parishad sabhadhipati Gour Chandra Mandal resigned after Calcutta High Court on Tuesday dismissed his plea to withhold a meeting scheduled for July 8 to discuss a no-confidence motion against him.

Mandal had become a zilla parishad member in 2018 on a Trinamul candidate. But, he joined the BJP in March this year and contested from Manikchak against Trinamul’s Sabitri Mitra. He was defeated.

On June 23, 23 of 37 elected members at the zilla parishad moved a no-confidence motion against Mandal. Accordingly, a meeting was scheduled for July 8 to discuss the motion.

Mandal filed a petition in the high court, seeking a stay on the meeting. The high court dismissed his plea on Tuesday and soon, Mandal tendered his resignation.

He submitted the resignation letter to the divisional commissioner.

“I have done so in consultation with the BJP leadership,” said Mandal.

District Trinamul leaders said he had any other option.

“We have 24 elected members at the zilla parishad. Mandal had realised that the no-confidence motion would be passed and he would have to step down. The new sabhadhipati will be elected shortly,” said Mausam Benazir Noor, the Malda district Trinamul chief.