Bengal Chief Minister and Trinamool Congress chief Mamata Banerjee, who lost the state to Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) yesterday after three consecutive terms in power, has refused to tender her resignation, creating an unprecedented crisis that is likely to land on Governor RN Ravi’s desk for resolution.
Banerjee – who is at her fighting best when cornered and just yesterday, promised to fight like a “tiger cub” — argued today that she has not lost the election and the mandate the BJP got was the result of “loot”.
“I have not lost, so I will not go to Raj Bhavan. I will not tender resignation,” she told reporters at a press conference this evening.
While Banerjee’s move can potentially bring down President’s Rule on the state, sources in the Election Commission said this is not required if the winning party stakes claim and is invited by the Governor to form government before the term of the assembly ends.
The term of the West Bengal assembly ends on May 7 and the BJP could have just two more days to get the show on the road. (New Delhi Television Ltd)
