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Kolkata, 7 May. West Bengal Governor RN Ravi on Thursday evening dismissed Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee’s council of ministers for refusing to resign despite the Trinamool Congress (TMC)’s defeat in the assembly elections and issued an order effectively dissolving the state assembly under Article 174(2)(b) of the Indian Constitution.

Mamta was adamant on not resigning from the post of CM

It is noteworthy that after BJP got a clear majority in the assembly elections, Mamata Banerjee had refused to resign saying that the tenure of the assembly was ending around 7-8 May, so there was no need to resign now.

Later, Mamata took a stubborn stand and announced that there was no question of her resignation. She said in the party meeting that if President’s rule is imposed in Bengal, it should be imposed, but she will not resign. The TMC supremo had alleged in a press conference on Tuesday that the result of the West Bengal Assembly elections was ‘not a mandate but a conspiracy’.

Paving the way to invite BJP to form new government

At present, under Article 164 of the Constitution, the post of ministers depends on the pleasure of the Governor, on the basis of which the Governor has taken this step. With the dissolution of the assembly, he cleared the way for inviting BJP to form the new government. However, this development remains a topic of discussion regarding the constitutional process in the state.

It is noteworthy that the process of West Bengal Assembly Elections 2026 was conducted in two phases. Voting was held on 20 April and 29 April. In the counting of votes held on May 4, BJP secured absolute majority and ousted Trinamool Congress from power for one and a half decade. Despite this crushing defeat, a constitutional crisis arose in the state due to Mamata Banerjee not resigning and calling the mandate a ‘conspiracy’, after which the Governor decided to dismiss the cabinet.

According to the Election Commission data, out of 294 seats in the state for which results have been declared, BJP got 207 seats while Mamata Banerjee-led TMC was reduced to just 80 seats. Congress got 2 seats and CPI(M) had to be content with one seat.