KOLKATA: West Bengal Governor RN Ravi on Thursday, May 7, 2026, dissolved the Legislative Assembly, paving the way for the formation of a new BJP government in the state.
“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,” a notification by the Governor of West Bengal read.
The Governor dissolved the Assembly after its five-year term ended on May 7.
Following the dissolution, Trinamool Congress leader Mamata Banerjee is no longer the Chief Minister of Bengal despite her refusal to resign.
Banerjee-led TMC lost the recently held Bengal Assembly elections as her party secured only 80 of the 293 seats. Elections in the Falta constituency were scrapped over “severe electoral offences”.
The BJP secured a landslide victory, winning 207 seats, 60 more than the required majority of 147 seats to form the government.
However, Banerjee alleged fraud in counting of votes and refused to accept the results. She claimed that the outcome was not the mandate of the people.
“I will not resign, I did not lose, I will not go to Raj Bhavan…The question doesn’t arise…. we were defeated not by public mandate but by conspiracy,” Banerjee said.
She further added, “It is their attempt to defeat us. Officially, through the Election Commission, they can defeat us, but morally we won the election.”
Banerjee had also accused Bengal Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar of becoming the “villain of this election to loot the democratic rights of the people and the EVMs.”
Her allegations were vehemently rejected by both the BJP and the Election Commission of India.
Her refusal to step down despite electoral defeat didn’t stand in line with the Constitution of India. Article 172 of the Constitution fixes any Legislative Assembly’s five-year term, indirectly framing the tenure of a Chief Minister.
According to Article 164 of the Constitution, the Chief Minister holds office during the pleasure of the Governor, which is contingent on majority support in the Assembly.
Moreover, the Governor has the powers to invite the majority party, which is BJP in Bengal’s case, to form the government once results are officially notified.
Agencies
Governor RN Ravi dissolves Bengal Assembly; Mamata Banerjee no longer CM
