West Bengal Assembly dissolved after BJP’s landslide victory

Daijiworld Media Network - Kolkata

Kolkata, May 7: The office of R. B. Ravi on Thursday announced the dissolution of the West Bengal Legislative Assembly following the declaration of results for the recently concluded Assembly elections, in which the Bharatiya Janata Party secured a decisive two-thirds majority.

In an official statement issued from Lok Bhaban, formerly known as Raj Bhavan, the Governor’s office stated that the Assembly was dissolved under the powers granted to the Governor under Article 174(2)(b) of the Constitution of India.

The notification clarified that the order had come into effect immediately in accordance with constitutional provisions.

The development came shortly after outgoing Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee publicly declared that she would not formally submit her resignation to the Governor, arguing that the election outcome did not reflect the true mandate of the people.

However, constitutional experts pointed out that the dissolution of the Assembly automatically results in the dissolution of the state Cabinet, effectively ending Banerjee’s tenure as Chief Minister regardless of whether a formal resignation was submitted.

The announcement has also triggered debate over the administrative arrangement for the interim period before the swearing-in ceremony of the new government, scheduled for Saturday morning.

The oath-taking ceremony is expected to take place in the presence of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union Home Minister Amit Shah, and other senior leaders.

Political observers noted that the unusual situation has created uncertainty over who will oversee the state administration until the new Cabinet assumes office.

Legal experts believe that during this transitional phase, the Governor may either directly supervise administrative affairs or recommend temporary imposition of President’s Rule until the new government is formally sworn in.