The TMC leader stated she would not step down, claiming the elections were manipulated and that the results represented “not a people’s mandate but a conspiracy.”
“The issue of my resignation does not arise, as we were defeated not through a public vote, but via a conspiracy… I did not lose; I will not go to Lok Bhavan,” Mamata expressed during a press conference on May 5, following the BJP’s decisive win in the state, according to PTI.
“Why should I resign? We have not lost. Votes were stolen. Where does the question of resignation come from?” the TMC leader asserted.
Mamata’s tenure as CM officially concludes
As of May 7, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee’s tenure and her government have formally concluded after the BJP’s triumph in the 2026 Assembly elections, where they claimed 207 seats in the 294-member House.
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The TMC has been diminished to just 80 seats, and the new government is anticipated to take oath on May 9.
Banerjee has not resigned nor received formal authorization from the Governor to remain as caretaker Chief Minister until the new government takes office.
This situation has sparked debates about whether the state is lacking a fully functioning elected administration.
Chandranath Rath’s assassination
The murder of Chandranath Rath, a close associate of senior BJP leader Suvendu Adhikari, has heightened discussions in New Delhi regarding the constitutional situation in West Bengal, despite the BJP winning 207 seats.
Conversations about Bengal’s administrative status had already commenced prior to Rath’s murder on the night of May 6. However, this incident has expedited discussions concerning potential constitutional actions in the state, as reported by News18.
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Banerjee convened a meeting with the newly elected TMC MLAs, promising to challenge the alleged “vote theft” in the Supreme Court.
“We will litigate regarding the elections. Post-poll violence is ongoing,” TMC leader and Mamata’s nephew Abhishek Banerjee stated after the meeting, as reported by The Indian Express. The TMC plans to file complaints concerning EVM tampering and accusations of “vote theft by the BJP and the Election Commission.”
She reportedly instructed the MLAs to identify party members who had “sabotaged” the election process. “She reiterated her intent not to resign as Chief Minister, even if President’s Rule is implemented in Bengal. She asserted that the EVMs were manipulated and claimed she was physically assaulted at a counting center,” an MLA present at the meeting mentioned to The Indian Express.
Discussions on Article 356 gaining traction
Officials within the administrative framework believe West Bengal is currently existing under a caretaker configuration, lacking an active cabinet or duly elected leadership responsible for governance and public order.
Conversations in Delhi focus on ensuring a stable power transition in a politically sensitive state marked by a history of post-election violence.
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“This was already part of the agenda; the prevailing condition has intensified the urgency of the discussion,” a source familiar with the conversations told News18.
Article 356 of the Constitution empowers the Centre to impose President’s Rule if the constitutional machinery in a state is deemed to be ineffective. The existing political vacuum has bolstered arguments in favor of exploring constitutional solutions.
Rath murdered in Madhyamgram
Chandranath Rath was in his SUV in the Doharia area of Madhyamgram in North 24 Parganas on May 6 when attackers on motorcycles allegedly opened fire at close range.
At least four shots were fired, with three bullets striking Rath in the chest and head. He later succumbed to his injuries at a private hospital.
Another individual at the scene was injured and is currently receiving medical attention. Authorities have initiated an investigation, and three suspects have reportedly been apprehended.
Intelligence warnings and security apprehensions
Central intelligence agencies have cautioned that the next 24 to 48 hours in West Bengal could be “very sensitive.” Several districts have reportedly been earmarked for increased surveillance due to concerns that political activists and leaders may face threats.
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Senior officials of the Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF) are currently deployed in Bengal, with nearly 250,000 CAPF personnel remaining in the state since the elections.
The Election Commission has also instructed the Chief Secretary, Director General of Police, and CAPF officials to maintain a “zero tolerance” stance towards post-poll violence and ensure visible presence in sensitive regions.
