West Bengal has been brought under President’s Rule after Governor R.N. Ravi ordered the dissolution of the state Assembly, effectively ending Mamata Banerjee’s tenure despite her refusal to step down. With the BJP set to form the next government, the state now enters a brief constitutional transition marked by central rule.
The Governor issued the notification after the term of Mamata Banerjee’s third government officially ended on May 7. Under constitutional provisions, once the tenure of a Legislative Assembly expires, it automatically loses its authority unless a new government is sworn in. Acting in line with these rules, the Assembly was dissolved, bringing Mamata Banerjee’s administrative powers to an end—even though she had publicly declared she would not resign.
President’s Rule Imposed in Bengal, Governor Ends Mamata’s Authority
Following her defeat in the 2026 Assembly elections, Mamata Banerjee alleged widespread electoral malpractice and maintained that her party had not truly lost. After losing the Bhabanipur seat by more than 15,000 votes, she accused the BJP of manipulating the electoral process, claiming that polling agents were attacked and votes were forcibly taken.
Speaking to the media a day after the results, she stood firm on her position, saying that the defeat was engineered and not genuine. She also made it clear that she would neither visit the Governor’s residence nor submit her resignation, even if President’s Rule was imposed, calling the situation a “dark chapter” in the state’s history.
However, with the official end of her government’s tenure on May 7, constitutional procedure has taken precedence over political statements. The BJP, which secured a decisive mandate in the 294-member Assembly, is scheduled to form the new government on May 9.
This has created a two-day interim period during which West Bengal will remain under President’s Rule. The development highlights the intensity of the political transition in the state, as power shifts following a significant electoral verdict.
All eyes are now on the swearing-in ceremony, where the BJP will announce its Chief Minister and formally begin its governance in West Bengal.
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