Mamata refuses to resign after loss, TMC calls it symbolic protest
A day after refusing to resign as the West Bengal chief minister despite the BJP’s sweeping electoral victory, TMC supremo Mamata Banerjee on Wednesday hardened her political stance, with party leaders describing her decision as a “symbolic protest” against alleged manipulation of the assembly poll results and signalled a prolonged political and legal battle ahead.
At a meeting of newly elected TMC MLAs and senior leaders at her Kalighat residence, Banerjee reportedly told party legislators that the BJP had “looted” the election and asserted that the party would move the Supreme Court alleging large-scale manipulation during counting.
The meeting, attended by TMC national general secretary Abhishek Banerjee and senior party leaders, also focused on the party’s future strategy, organisational restructuring and allocation of responsibilities after its worst electoral setback since coming to power in 2011.
According to party leaders present at the meeting, Banerjee struck a defiant note and indicated that the TMC would politically resist what it describes as an “engineered mandate”.
“Let them impose President’s Rule if they want. Let them dismiss me if they want. Let it remain on record as a black day,” Banerjee was quoted as telling party legislators during the closed-door meeting.
According to constitutional experts, technically, the term of the current West Bengal Assembly ends on May 7. Until then, Banerjee will continue to hold office. However, once the assembly’s term expires, she will automatically cease to be chief minister, irrespective of whether she formally resigns, effectively rendering the standoff time-bound.
The TMC chief also announced the formation of a disciplinary committee within the party amid concerns over internal discontent and possible organisational drift following the defeat.
TMC spokesperson and newly elected Beliaghata MLA Kunal Ghosh defended Banerjee’s refusal to tender her resignation despite the BJP securing a landslide victory, calling it a “language of protest” in a democracy.
“Mamata didi not tendering her resignation is a protest language. It is symbolic. This is a protest against the way the Election Commission allegedly manipulated the results in more than 100 constituencies during counting,” Ghosh told reporters after the meeting.
He alleged that the TMC had been “forcibly defeated” and maintained that Banerjee’s decision was aimed at registering political dissent against the electoral outcome.
“This is a symbol of protest. In a democracy, this can also be a form of protest language,” he said.
Ghosh also reiterated the party’s allegation that the Election Commission acted in favour of the BJP during the counting process.
“We still believe this result was not proper. The Election Commission became part and parcel of the BJP’s result,” he claimed.
He, however, said all decisions regarding the party’s future course and organisational responsibilities would rest solely with Banerjee.
“Who will get which responsibility and what assignment will be given to whom, that is entirely Didi’s decision, and all of us will abide by it. Whatever decision she takes will be final,” Ghosh said.
Banerjee on Tuesday had alleged that the assembly poll verdict was “not a people’s mandate but a conspiracy”, opening up an unprecedented political confrontation even before the formal transition of power in the state.
A day after the BJP sealed a historic victory with 207 seats in the 294-member assembly -- ending the TMC’s uninterrupted 15-year rule in West Bengal -- Banerjee on Tuesday claimed that nearly 100 seats had been “taken away” from her party during the counting process.
The TMC was reduced to 80 seats in this election.
The BJP, however, dismissed the allegations and accused the TMC of refusing to accept the popular verdict.
The Election Commission also rejected the allegations of manipulation, maintaining that the counting process was conducted under established procedures and strict monitoring.
Banerjee’s refusal to immediately resign has triggered intense political and constitutional debate, with experts pointing out that while conventionally an outgoing chief minister resigns after losing an election, the Constitution does not prescribe a mandatory timeline before an alternative Government is sworn in.
The BJP is scheduled to form its first Government in West Bengal on May 9, with state BJP president Samik Bhattacharya announcing that the swearing-in ceremony would be held at Brigade Parade Grounds in Kolkata.
