West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has firmly rejected calls for her resignation following the Trinamool Congress's (TMC) significant defeat in the recent Assembly elections. Despite the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) securing a decisive majority, Banerjee declared there was "no question" of her stepping down, asserting that her party had not truly lost the election.
The election results saw the BJP win 206 of the 294 Assembly seats, effectively ending the TMC's 15-year tenure in power. Compounding the setback, Banerjee herself lost her seat in Bhabanipur, a constituency she had represented for years.
Allegations of Widespread Irregularities
In a strongly worded press conference, Banerjee launched a series of accusations, alleging extensive irregularities and bias on the part of the Election Commission (EC). "Sad to say, CEC became the villain of this election to loot the democratic rights of the people and to loot the EVM," she stated, questioning the high battery charge on Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) after polling.
The outgoing Chief Minister further claimed that opposition workers were systematically targeted in the days leading up to the election. She alleged that authorities arrested TMC supporters, conducted raids, and replaced key IPS and IAS officers with individuals aligned with the ruling party, suggesting direct interference from the BJP and the Election Commission.
"Battle Between BJP and Election Commission"
Banerjee characterized the election as a "battle between the BJP and the Election Commission," contending that her party fought against "all machinery." She implicated the Prime Minister and Home Minister in direct interference, citing the alleged deletion of 90 lakh names from voter lists, with only 32 lakh subsequently reinstated after court intervention.
"They played dirty, nasty, and mischievous games. I have never seen this type of election in my life," Banerjee remarked, underscoring her profound dissatisfaction with the electoral process.
Counting Day Disputes and Violence Claims
The Chief Minister also detailed alleged irregularities and violence during the vote counting process. She claimed that after the initial rounds, officials prematurely announced BJP leads. Following these announcements, she alleged that BJP candidates, accompanied by 200 CRPF personnel and 200 "outside goons," entered polling stations, assaulting counting agents and snatching official forms.
Banerjee recounted her personal experience, stating she was leading by approximately 30,000 votes with five rounds of counting remaining. However, after her counting agents were reportedly withdrawn and the alleged interference occurred, the outcome dramatically shifted, leading to her defeat in Bhabanipur.