West BengalGovernor RN Ravi, on Thursday, dissolved the State Legislative Assembly with effect from May 7 (today) after completion of its term, according to an official notification. The current assembly was constituted in May 2021 after the Trinamool Congress (TMC), under the leadership ofMamata Banerjee, returned to power for the third consecutive term in the state.
The dissolution marks the formal completion of the tenure of the outgoing assembly, following the recently concluded two-phase elections. The notification was issued by the Department of Parliamentary Affairs.
On Wednesday, TMC supremo Mamata Banerjee hardened her political stance, with party leaders describing her decision as a "symbolic protest" against alleged manipulation of the assembly poll results and signaled 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.
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.
BJP sealed a historic victory in West Bengal with 207 seats in the 294-member assembly -- ending the TMC's uninterrupted 15-year rule in West Bengal, and restricting Banerjee's party on 80 seats.
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