Mamata Banerjee refuses to resign, says “let them dismiss me”

Trinamool Congress chief Mamata Banerjee on Wednesday reiterated that she would not resign from the chief minister’s post despite mounting political pressure following the assembly election results.

“Let them dismiss me. I want this to be a black day,” Banerjee said during a meeting with party MLAs.

She said the Trinamool Congress would move to court against the post-poll violence reported in the state since April 29. Banerjee also announced the formation of a disciplinary committee to act against party leaders speaking publicly against the party.

Calling for continued protests, she said Trinamool legislators would wear black clothes on the day the new assembly convenes.

Banerjee has maintained her stance since the election results were declared, alleging that the Election Commission played “nasty games” and pointing to defeats suffered by non-BJP alliances in states such as Maharashtra, Haryana and Bihar.

BJP leader Suvendu Adhikari, seen as a leading contender for the chief minister’s post, denied claims of widespread post-poll violence in West Bengal.

“Sporadic incidents reported so far have been much less than the post-poll violence that happened in 2021. There are some goons still out there. The BJP-led government will take strong action,” he said.

The constitutional situation has triggered political debate, with no clear precedent for a chief minister refusing to resign after losing power. Legal experts and political leaders have pointed out that the governor has the authority to dismiss a chief minister.

The term of the current West Bengal assembly ends on May 7, leaving limited time for a resolution.

Several BJP leaders, including Himanta Biswa Sarma, have called for Banerjee’s dismissal.