Kolkata: Political leaders from the BJP and its allies on Friday backed West Bengal Governor R.N. Ravi’s decision to dissolve the Legislative Assembly, asserting that the move was in line with constitutional provisions after the expiry of the Assembly’s term and the electoral defeat of the Trinamool Congress government led by Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee.
Reacting strongly to the development, BJP MP Rahul Sinha said Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee should have resigned after the electoral verdict went against her and the Trinamool.
“Mamata Banerjee should have had at least this much dignity. When the people’s verdict came and she lost, even in Bhabanipur, she should have accepted it and resigned. Even if she did not resign, what happened? She was removed. This was such a great humiliation, but Mamata Banerjee does not realise it,” Sinha told IANS.
BJP MP Khagen Murmu said the Governor had acted under constitutional provisions.
“As per the Constitution, Article 174 was invoked today. The Governor had already dissolved the Legislative Assembly. For so many days, why was Mamata Banerjee sitting on it? The people of the entire country are laughing. She was not accepting the people’s verdict and was insulting the people here,” Murmu said.
From Mumbai, Shiv Sena leader Shaina NC said the BJP had secured a decisive mandate in the Assembly elections and accused the outgoing Chief Minister of clinging to power despite defeat.
“The Bharatiya Janata Party is set for government formation on May 9, and 207 out of 294 is clearly a mandate. Mamata Banerjee lost her own home turf Bhabanipur, 23 of the 35 Trinamool ministers were defeated, and 63 per cent of the Cabinet has been wiped out. Her refusing to step down was an act of desperation. Governor Ravi has taken the correct constitutional steps so that the BJP forms the government at the earliest,” she said.
Uttar Pradesh Minister O.P. Rajbhar also justified the Governor’s action, saying constitutional norms had to be followed.
“It is certain that Mamata was not following the Constitution. The authority to form the government rests with the Governor. Therefore, the Governor exercised his constitutional powers and dissolved the Assembly,” Rajbhar said.
In Hyderabad, BJP leader T.R. Srinivas said the Trinamool government’s tenure had effectively ended on May 7 and accused Mamata Banerjee of failing to follow a constitutional convention.
“May 7, 2026, was the last date for the Trinamool government led by Mamata Banerjee in West Bengal. Unfortunately, she did not follow the laid-out convention as per the Constitution of India, as she was required to hand over charge as a caretaker Chief Minister to the incoming government. Therefore, the Governor had to dissolve the Assembly,” he said.
Telangana BJP President N. Ramchandra Rao termed the development a “constitutional necessity”.
“It is a constitutional necessity that once the five-year term of any government is over, the Legislative Assembly is dissolved according to Article 172. Accordingly, under the Constitution, in West Bengal as well, the Governor has exercised power. What has happened in Bengal is merely a constitutional procedure, wherein a government elected for a five-year term has now been dissolved,” Rao said.
Bihar Minister Shrawon Kumar also weighed in, saying, “Everyone should follow the law. Those who do not follow the law have to face the consequences.”
(IANS)
