Mamata refuses to resign, rejects poll defeat

A day after the BJP’s sweeping victory in West Bengal, Trinamool Congress chief Mamata Banerjee on Tuesday refused to accept the verdict as a reflection of public mandate.

Mamata declared that she will not be resigning, alleging irregularities and signalling a multi-pronged political and legal response.

"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 said, addressing a press conference in Kolkata.

Escalating her attack, she said, “We did not fight BJP, we fought EC which worked for the saffron party.”

The TMC chief also announced that the party will set up a 10-member fact-finding committee to visit areas affected by post-poll violence across the state.

The statements come even as the BJP tightened its grip on the assembly, taking its tally to 207 seats in the 294-member House after a recount victory in Rajarhat-New Town.

The result followed Monday’s decisive mandate, which saw the BJP cross the two-thirds mark and end the TMC’s 15-year rule in the state.

With the current assembly term ending on 6 May, attention has now shifted to government formation. According to reports, the oath-taking ceremony is likely on 9 May, coinciding with Rabindranath Tagore’s birth anniversary, though an official announcement is awaited.

What happens next?

As per procedure, Mamata Banerjee is expected to resign as chief minister but continue in a caretaker capacity until the new government is sworn in. The BJP, as the majority party, will then stake claim to form the government, following which the governor will invite its leader to take oath.

Even as the transition process begins, the TMC may pursue multiple options in response to the electoral outcome. However, Mamata Banerjee may find it difficult to sustain her stance of not stepping down as chief minister.

TMC may explore legal options including election petitions in the culcutta high court.

There is also discussion around broader political mobilisation on the ground and the possibility of coordinated action with INDIA bloc allies.