Governor Dissolves Bengal Assembly Amid Mamata Standoff
Governor issues notification after Chief Minister refuses to step down following poll defeat
- West Bengal Assembly dissolved by Governor R. N. Ravi
- Mamata Banerjee had refused to resign after poll defeat
- BJP demands her dismissal over constitutional controversy
- Trinamool Congress plans legal challenge to election results
GG News Bureau
Kolkata, 7th May: The political standoff triggered by Mamata Banerjee’s refusal to resign after the Assembly election defeat took a dramatic turn on Thursday after Governor R. N. Ravi formally dissolved the West Bengal Legislative Assembly.
Raj Bhavan released a notification issued on Wednesday stating that the Assembly stood dissolved with effect from May 7 under Article 174(2)(b) of the Constitution.
The development came after Mamata Banerjee declared earlier this week that she would not tender her resignation, alleging that the BJP’s victory in the Assembly polls was the result of “loot”.
“I have not lost, so I will not go to Raj Bhavan. I will not tender resignation,” Banerjee had said after her party’s defeat.
The Trinamool Congress chief’s stand triggered intense constitutional and political debate, with BJP leaders demanding her dismissal and questioning her continuation in office after the election results.
Under constitutional provisions, an outgoing council of ministers can continue in a caretaker role after the Assembly term expires until a new government is sworn in. However, Banerjee’s refusal to resign led to confusion over her constitutional position.
The BJP, which secured a sweeping mandate in the recently concluded elections, is expected to form the next government with the swearing-in ceremony likely on Saturday.
Political observers noted that the Governor’s dissolution order effectively ends the constitutional uncertainty surrounding the outgoing Assembly.
Meanwhile, the Trinamool Congress has announced plans to challenge the election results in court, alleging irregularities during the polling and counting process.
The controversy has further intensified the already polarised political climate in Bengal following the BJP’s historic electoral victory in the state.
