She claimed that 100 seats were “stolen” through seat manipulation and that nearly 9 million names were missing from the voter lists.Criticism of the EC: She accused the Election Commission of India
kolkata correspondent : Following the 2026 West Bengal Assembly election results, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has refused to resign despite a major defeat. In a press conference on May 5, 2026, she alleged that “nasty games” involving the Election Commission and the BJP led to her party’s loss.
Banerjee stated she would not resign, claiming the election was morally won by her party despite the official numbers. She claimed that 100 seats were “stolen” through seat manipulation and that nearly 9 million names were missing from the voter lists.Criticism of the EC: She accused the Election Commission of India of working in collusion with the BJP to ensure her defeat.
The election results signal a monumental shift in West Bengal’s political landscape, with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) secured a landslide victory, winning 207 out of 294 seats. This outcome paves the way for the BJP to form its first-ever government in the state on May 9.
Meanwhile, the TMC was reduced to just 80 seats, ending over a decade of dominance. In a personal blow, Mamata also lost her traditional Bhabanipur stronghold to her former aide and senior BJP leader, Suvendu Adhikari.
Mamata, who has held the office of Chief Minister since 2011, has leveled serious accusations of large-scale “seat manipulation” and systemic irregularities. Notably, this was the first election conducted following the controversial removal of approximately 9 million voters from the electoral rolls under the Special Intensive Revision (SIR).
Responding to the results, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi welcomed the change, stating that West Bengal had finally been “freed from fear” and is now set to move toward a new era of development and progress.
