Mamata refuses to step down, calls Bengal mandate “looted”
Kolkata, May 5: Trinamool Congress chief Mamata Banerjee on Tuesday refused to resign after the party’s defeat in the West Bengal Assembly…
Kolkata, May 5: Trinamool Congress chief Mamata Banerjee on Tuesday refused to resign after the party’s defeat in the West Bengal Assembly election, claiming that the mandate in favour of the BJP was “looted” and not a genuine verdict.
“I have not lost, so I will not go to Raj Bhavan. I will not tender resignation,” Banerjee told reporters at a press conference.
Alleges Election Irregularities
The former Chief Minister alleged that nearly 100 seats were “stolen”, accusing both the Election Commission and the central government of interference. She claimed the poll process was compromised and said democracy was under threat.
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“This is not how democracy works. When the Election Commission is biased, and the government wants one-party rule, a wrong message goes to the world,” she said. Banerjee further alleged that the poll body played “nasty games” and claimed her real contest was not with the BJP but with the Election Commission.
Accusing the government of direct interference, she said similar tactics were used in elections in Maharashtra, Haryana, Bihar, and now Bengal.
Claims Assault, Announces Fact-Finding Panel
Banerjee also alleged that she was assaulted at a polling station, claiming she was pushed, kicked, and misbehaved with, and that CCTV cameras were not functioning at the time.
“If central forces can behave like this, I have nothing to say,” she remarked, adding that she had not witnessed such incidents in previous regimes.
While she did not disclose her party’s immediate strategy, Banerjee said leaders of the INDIA bloc have extended support. She also announced the formation of a fact-finding committee, including MPs, to visit areas where Trinamool workers were allegedly attacked and party offices vandalised.
