West Bengal Governor RN Ravi dissolved the state legislative assembly after Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee refused to resign following her party’s defeat in the Assembly elections.
The Raj Bhavan on Thursday released a notification issued a day earlier stating that the Legislative Assembly of West Bengal stood dissolved with effect from May 7, 2026, under Article 174(2)(b) of the Constitution.
The assembly’s five-year term was set to expire after midnight on Thursday. Under Article 172 of the Constitution, the outgoing Council of Ministers can continue in a caretaker role until a new government is sworn in.
The development came days after Banerjee declared that she would not resign despite the Trinamool Congress losing power after three consecutive terms in office.
Speaking to reporters on Tuesday, Banerjee said she did not accept the election verdict and alleged that the BJP’s victory was the result of “loot”.
“I have not lost, so I will not go to Raj Bhavan. I will not tender resignation,” she said.
Her remarks triggered a political controversy, with BJP leaders demanding her dismissal. Opposition bloc leaders, however, rallied behind the Trinamool Congress chief.
The TMC also announced on Thursday that it would move court to challenge the Assembly election results.