Governor Ravi dissolves Bengal Assembly as Mamata refuses to resign

In a decisive constitutional move, West Bengal Governor RN Ravi ordered the dissolution of the West Bengal Legislative Assembly on Thursday, May 7, 2026. The decision follows a tense political standoff after the 2026 Assembly election results, where the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) secured a clear majority with 207 seats, ending 15 years of Trinamool Congress (TMC) rule. Despite the clear mandate, outgoing Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee had initially refused to tender her resignation, alleging widespread "vote theft" and electoral manipulation, leading to a temporary administrative deadlock.

Invoking powers under Article 174 (2)(b) of the Constitution of India, the Governor issued the formal order through a special gazette notification (No: 275-P.A./1L-03/2026). While it is standard constitutional practice to dissolve the outgoing assembly after an election, this particular order carried significant weight given the Chief Minister's defiance. The notification, published by Chief Secretary Dushyant Nariala (IAS), officially terminates the term of the 17th Legislative Assembly and paves the way for the formation of the 18th Assembly.

The dissolution of the house marks the formal end of the TMC-led government's current tenure. With the legislative path cleared, the focus now shifts to the formation of the new BJP government. Preparations are already underway for a massive swearing-in ceremony at the Brigade Parade Ground in Kolkata, scheduled for Saturday, May 9. Reports suggest that the new cabinet will be sworn in shortly, followed by the first session of the newly constituted 18th Legislative Assembly.