Governor dissolves West Bengal govt after Mamata refused to resign

KOLKATA: The West Bengal Assembly was dissolved by the Governor, handing over a major setback to Trinamool leader Mamata Banerjee, who refused to resign despite suffering a crushing defeat in the elections. The Governor dissolved the Bengal Assembly in exercise of his power under the second clause of Article 174 of the Constitution, an order issued by the Lok Bhavan said. The dissolution has been made effective from May 7, 2026.

Under Article 172 of the Constitution, the assembly can be dissolved after the expiry of its five-year term, and the cabinet can continue in a caretaker capacity until the new government is sworn in. However, Mamata Banerjee had announced that she would not resign after she alleged vote fraud in the assembly elections in Bengal. The BJP leaders have demanded that Mamata be completely removed and not allowed to continue as the caretaker chief minister.

Mamata Banerjee did not resign as Chief Minister, alleging that the BJP's victory in Bengal was the result of vote-rigging and EVM tampering. Mamata had alleged that the Election Commission colluded with the BJP to bring down the Trinamool government and that the BJP had won "immorally".