West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Tuesday rejected calls for her resignation following a decisive electoral defeat by Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), insisting that she had “not been defeated” despite losing both her seat and her party’s majority in the state assembly.
The BJP secured more than two-thirds of the 294 seats in the state elections, marking its first-ever victory in West Bengal and ending the Trinamool Congress (TMC)’s 10-year rule. The ruling party’s tally fell sharply from 215 seats to 80, while Banerjee herself lost her constituency.
Addressing a press briefing, Banerjee alleged that around 100 seats were “forcibly taken” from her party and accused the Election Commission of bias. She did not provide evidence to support the claim.
“I will not resign, I did not lose,” Banerjee said. “Officially, through the Election Commission, they (the BJP) can defeat us, but morally, we won the election.”
Her remarks were rejected by West Bengal’s Chief Electoral Officer Manoj Kumar Agarwal, who described the allegations as “baseless.”
BJP leader Suvendu Adhikari, who defeated Banerjee in her constituency, said that the election outcome was legitimate and “in accordance with the Constitution.”
Under India’s constitutional process, Banerjee may either resign or continue in office until the end of her term, which concludes on Thursday, after which the governor will initiate procedures for the formation of a new government.
While legal experts note that election results can be challenged in court on grounds including malpractice or procedural violations, Banerjee did not confirm whether she intends to pursue legal action.
The BJP campaign in West Bengal was led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah, who focused heavily on issues including alleged illegal immigration from Bangladesh and the state’s economic performance under the TMC government.