West Bengal: What Suvendu Adhikari Said Regarding Mamata Banerjee's Refusal to Resign
Kolkata: Responding to the statement made on Tuesday by West Bengal's outgoing Chief Minister and Trinamool Congress supremo, Mamata Banerjee—in which she indicated she would not resign—Leader of the Opposition Suvendu Adhikari stated that the constitutional framework regarding such matters is clear.
When asked at a press conference here about Mamata Banerjee's statement that she would not go to the Raj Bhavan to tender her resignation, BJP leader Adhikari replied, "Our party spokesperson will address this matter." He further added, "Everything is laid out in the Constitution; there is no need to say anything more."
My party was "forcibly defeated: Mamata
Notably, a day after her party suffered a crushing defeat in the state assembly elections, Mamata Banerjee stated at a press conference in Kolkata on Tuesday that her party was "forcibly defeated" in the polls and that she would not go to the Raj Bhavan to submit her resignation. She asserted, "We have not lost; we have been defeated."
"I will not resign from the post of Chief Minister. We were defeated not by the public mandate, but by a conspiracy. Therefore, I will not go to the Raj Bhavan to tender my resignation."
EC is the real villain: Mamata
Mamata further remarked, "The Election Commission is the real villain. It colluded with the BJP to steal 100 seats. I hold no official position now; I am a free bird. I can contest elections from anywhere, and I will remain on the streets [among the people]."
Mamata alleged, "The BJP had taken control of the counting centers. They mistreated me and committed atrocities against our candidates and party workers. Leaders from my party and the INDIA alliance stand with me. We will rise again and fight like lions."
According to constitutional norms, following the declaration of assembly election results in any state—regardless of whether the incumbent party wins or loses—the Chief Minister typically meets with the Governor to tender their resignation. The Governor then requests that the Chief Minister continue to serve in their capacity until a new government is formed.
Trinamool Congress has suffered a massive defeat in the elections for the 294-member state assembly; furthermore, Mamata Banerjee herself lost to Suvendu Adhikari in the Bhabanipur assembly constituency by a margin of over 15,000 votes.
The BJP has initiated the process of selecting its legislative party leader to facilitate the formation of a new government in the state, appointing Union Home Minister Amit Shah as the observer for the upcoming legislative party meeting in Kolkata.