Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee’s last gambit — refusal to resign her post — ended in anti-climax of sorts as Governor RN Ravi dissolved the state’s legislative assembly today. The term of the assembly was due to expire post-midnight today. In the evening, the Raj Bhavan made public a letter issued yesterday “for general information”.
A single-line order, issued yesterday, read: “In exercise of the power conferred on me by sub-clause (b) of Clause (2) of Article 174 of the constitution of India, I hereby dissolve the Legislative Assembly of West Bengal with effect from 07th of May 2026”.
Under Article 172 of the Constitution, the assembly dissolves after its five-year term is over and the outgoing Council of Ministers can continue in a caretaker capacity till the new government takes the oath of office.
Banerjee’s declaration on Tuesday evening — a day after her party’s crushing defeat in the state assembly elections — had sparked a massive row, with leaders of the BJP calling for her outright dismissal.
Banerjee had argued that she had not lost the election and the mandate the BJP got was the result of “loot”.
“I have not lost, so I will not go to Raj Bhavan. I will not tender resignation,” she had told reporters at a press conference.
It sparked a massive political divide, with the Opposition bloc rallying around her and various leaders of the BJP seeking for her dismissal — which is a call that only the Governor can take.
Earlier today, the Trinamool Congress announced that it would go to court to challenge the results of the assembly election that ended its three terms in power.