National, May 5: West Bengal’s political landscape has entered a phase of sharp confrontation after Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee alleged a “civilian coup” following her party’s defeat in the Assembly elections, a charge firmly rejected by the Bharatiya Janata Party as baseless.
Addressing the media, Banerjee declined to step down, asserting that the electoral mandate had been compromised. She accused the Election Commission of India and the BJP of undermining the democratic process. The All India Trinamool Congress, which had dominated the state for over a decade, saw its tally drop to 80 seats, while the BJP surged to 207 seats in the 294-member Assembly, securing a decisive majority.
Raising concerns over the integrity of the voting process, Banerjee pointed to what she described as unusually high battery levels in electronic voting machines despite prolonged polling hours. She also alleged irregularities during counting, including disruptions to CCTV monitoring and instances of violence against her party’s polling agents. According to her, several workers, including women, were assaulted during the process.
The Chief Minister further accused the Election Commission of functioning under political influence, claiming that individuals aligned with the BJP were involved in managing the electoral exercise.
The BJP dismissed the allegations outright. Party leader Soumitra Khan described the claims as a reflection of frustration following a decisive electoral loss, stating that the verdict clearly reflected the will of the people and that constitutional institutions would ensure order and continuity.
Backing Banerjee’s claims, TMC MP Kalyan Banerjee alleged that party workers faced violence during counting and questioned the transparency of the process.
Amid the escalating political exchange, preparations for government formation are progressing. The BJP is expected to convene meetings to elect its legislative party leader, with senior figures including Jagat Prakash Nadda and Amit Shah playing key roles. Sources indicated that the swearing-in ceremony may be held on May 9, coinciding with the birth anniversary of Rabindranath Tagore.
As the transition of power unfolds, the state remains gripped by intensifying political rhetoric, with allegations and counter-allegations continuing to shape the post-election narrative.
