The Election Commission of India has issued a formal notification for the constitution of a new legislative assembly in West Bengal, marking the official completion of the electoral process in the state. The move comes in the wake of a sweeping electoral victory by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), which secured 207 seats in the 294-member House, bringing an end to the 15-year rule of the Trinamool Congress (TMC).
The notification has been forwarded to the Governor of West Bengal, paving the way for the formation of a new government in accordance with constitutional procedures. A senior Election Commission official described the issuance as a crucial step in the democratic process.
“With this, the process of constituting the new assembly in West Bengal is complete from the Commission’s end. It enables the next steps in government formation as per established procedures,” the official stated, emphasizing that all norms and guidelines were strictly followed during the elections.
The Commission maintained that the entire electoral exercise—from polling to counting—was conducted in a free, fair, and transparent manner, adhering to the statutory framework. The notification now clears the path for the swearing-in of newly elected representatives and the formal establishment of the next government.
However, the political atmosphere in the state remains tense. Outgoing Chief Minister and TMC supremo Mamata Banerjee has refused to step down, rejecting the election results and triggering a constitutional standoff.
Addressing a press conference, Banerjee dismissed the outcome as a “loot and conspiracy,” alleging that the electoral verdict was manipulated. “Why should I step down? We have not lost. The mandate has been looted,” she asserted, firmly ruling out resignation.
Banerjee further claimed that her party was not contesting against the BJP, but against the Election Commission itself, accusing the poll body of bias. She alleged widespread irregularities during the counting process, stating that nearly 100 seats were “looted” and that counting was deliberately slowed to demoralize TMC workers.
In a dramatic escalation, the 71-year-old leader also accused central forces of misconduct, claiming she was “kicked, pushed and manhandled” inside a counting centre, and that security personnel behaved like “goons” outside counting venues. She termed the election a “black chapter in history” and criticized the Chief Election Commissioner in strong terms.
Despite these allegations, the BJP’s decisive mandate has fundamentally altered the political landscape of West Bengal. The party’s victory not only ends the TMC’s long-standing dominance but also positions it to form the next government, subject to constitutional procedures being completed.
As the situation unfolds, attention now shifts to the Governor’s office and the steps that will be taken to resolve the impasse. The coming days are likely to test the resilience of democratic institutions, as West Bengal navigates a complex intersection of electoral mandate and political resistance.
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