State Advocate General Kishore Datta resigns, submits letter to Governor

Advocate General Kishore Datta has resigned from his post following the change of power in West Bengal, submitting his resignation letter to Governor R. N. Ravi. The development comes immediately after the declaration of the 2026 Assembly election results, in which the Bharatiya Janata Party secured a decisive majority, ending the All India Trinamool Congress’s 15-year rule in the state.

Datta’s resignation is being viewed in the context of the broader political transition, as the Advocate General serves as the chief legal advisor to the state government. With a new administration set to take charge, the continuation of the existing legal representative was considered unlikely, as incoming governments typically appoint their own legal advisors aligned with their policies and legal strategies.

The BJP’s sweeping victory, with over a two-thirds majority, marks its first government in West Bengal and has triggered a series of administrative and political changes. The election also saw high-profile defeats, including Mamata Banerjee in Bhabanipur, while BJP leader Suvendu Adhikari secured key victories in both Bhabanipur and Nandigram.

Kishore Datta, who had been serving as Advocate General since December 2023, is expected to continue in the role until his resignation is formally accepted. His exit clears the way for the incoming government to recommend a new candidate for the constitutional post, which is appointed by the Governor on the advice of the state government.