Kolkata, May 5 — Outgoing West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Tuesday ruled out stepping down after her party’s defeat in the Assembly elections, alleging that the outcome was not a genuine public mandate but the result of a “conspiracy”.
“The question of my resignation does not arise, as we were defeated not by a public mandate but by a conspiracy,” Banerjee said at a press conference. “I did not lose… They can take action as per constitutional norms.”
The Trinamool Congress chief also alleged large-scale irregularities in the counting process, claiming that results in nearly 100 seats were “looted” and that counting was slowed to demoralise her party.
“A black chapter in history has been created,” she said.
Banerjee accused the Election Commission of India of working in favour of the Bharatiya Janata Party, stating that her party’s contest “was not against BJP, but against the Election Commission”.
She further alleged that Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar had undermined democratic rights.
Announcing a response to the situation, Banerjee said a 10-member fact-finding committee would be constituted to visit areas affected by alleged post-poll violence and assess ground conditions. She dismissed allegations related to post-poll violence in 2021 as baseless.
Banerjee added that leaders of the opposition INDIA bloc, including Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi, had reached out to express solidarity.
“I will now focus on strengthening the opposition alliance at the national level,” she said.
The Bharatiya Janata Party secured a decisive victory in the 294-member Assembly, winning 207 seats and ending the TMC’s 15-year rule in the state.