West Bengal Governor dissolves state assembly without Mamata Banerjee's resignation
West Bengal Governor RN Ravi dissolved the West Bengal State Legislative Assembly with effect from May 7, even as Mamata Banerjee maintained her refusal to resign from the chief minister's post.
Governor RN Ravi dissolved the West Bengal State Legislative Assembly with effect from May 7 after completion of its term, according to an official notification.
The current assembly was constituted in May 2021 after the Trinamool Congress, under the leadership of Mamata Banerjee, returned to power for the third consecutive term in West Bengal.
The dissolution marks the formal completion of the tenure of the outgoing assembly, following the recently concluded two-phase elections.
Quick answers to key questions
The Governor dissolved the West Bengal State Legislative Assembly because its term was completed. The dissolution was formalized through an official notification issued by the Department of Parliamentary Affairs, exercising powers conferred by the Constitution of India.
Mamata Banerjee refused to resign because she asserted that she had not lost the election, stating that while the Trinamool Congress was officially defeated by the Election Commission, they had morally won. She expressed she would not go to Raj Bhavan to tender her resignation.
The Bharatiya Janata Party emerged victorious in the West Bengal Assembly Election 2026, winning 207 out of 294 seats. This result ended the Trinamool Congress's 15-year rule and marked the BJP's first government in the state.
Mamata Banerjee's refusal to resign has been described as a 'language of protest' against the alleged manipulation of results by the Election Commission. It is also a symbolic act of defiance, with her stating that the Centre could dismiss her if they chose.
During a police raid on a TMC office in the Narayanpur area of South 24 Parganas, West Bengal, approximately 18 sharp weapons were reportedly seized. The TMC has denied the allegations, and an investigation is underway.
The notification was issued by the Department of Parliamentary Affairs.
A press release by Lok Bhavan, West Bengal, read, “In exercise of the powers conferred upon the Governor under sub-clause (b) of Clause (2) of Article 174 of the Constitution of India, Hon'ble Governor of West Bengal, Shri RN Ravi, has issued an Order dissolving the West Bengal Legislative Assembly with effect from 07 May 2026.”
"The Order has come into force in accordance with the constitutional provisions contained under Article 174(2)(b) of the Constitution of India," it added.
The move follows the declaration of the results of the West Bengal Assembly Election 2026, in which the Bharatiya Janata Party emerged victorious by winning 207 of the 294 seats, ending the TMC's and Mamata Banerjee's 15-year rule.
Mamata Banerjee didn't resign
In a rare move, Mamata Banerjee refused to resign as the West Bengal Chief Minister, asserting that she had not lost the election. She said she would not go to the Raj Bhavan to tender her resignation.
Outgoing Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee targeted the BJP and claimed that she had not lost the assembly polls, saying "they can defeat Trinamool Congress through the Election Commission" but "morally we won the election".
"I will not resign, I did not lose, I will not go to Raj Bhavan... The question doesn't arise. No. Now, I also want to say that we didn't lose the election. It is their attempt to defeat us. Officially, through the Election Commission, they can defeat us, but morally we won the election," Mamata Banerjee was quoted by PTI as saying.
Interacting with the media a day after the assembly election results, Mamata Banerjee also said she will strengthen the INDIA bloc, noting that she does not have "any chair now" and is "a commoner".
“My target is very clear. Now I don't hold any position, so I am a common citizen. You [BJP] cannot say that I am using any official position. I am now a free bird, and I have my entire life dedicated to serving the people. Even during these 15 years, I have not withdrawn a single paisa as pension, nor have I taken any salary,” Banerjee said on May 5 while addressing a press conference after the defeat in the West Bengal Elections 2026.
BJP MP Sambit Patra on Tuesday called Mamata Banerjee's refusal to resign from the post "ridiculous and worrisome" after the TMC was restricted to 80 seats in the Assembly elections.
Patra told ANI, “ Mamata Banerjee has given a statement that she has not lost, and this is why she will not resign. She will continue to be the CM. This is ridiculous and worrisome...”
The BJP won a spectacular 207 seats, and the TMC was reduced to 80 seats in the assembly polls. The BJP is reportedly making preparations for the oath-taking ceremony of its first government in West Bengal.
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