West Bengal Governor RN Ravi dismisses Mamata cabinet; paving way for formation of new BJP government
New Delhi: West Bengal Governor RN Ravi on Thursday dissolved the Mamata government cabinet as well as the state Legislative Assembly before forming a new government after the recently concluded assembly elections.According to a government press release issued by Lok Bhavan, Kolkata, the Governor exercised his powers under Article 174(2)(b) of the Indian Constitution to dissolve the Parliament with effect from May 7.“The order has come into effect in accordance with the constitutional provisions contained in Article 174(2)(b) of the Constitution of India,” the release said.
The BJP disbanded the party after it secured a landslide victory in the assembly elections and prepared to form its first government in the state.
Bharatiya Janata Party steps up preparations to form government
The Bharatiya Janata Party has stepped up preparations for the oath-taking ceremony. Union Home Minister Amit Shah is expected to arrive in Kolkata later on Thursday, party sources said, news agency ANI reported.A meeting of the newly elected MLAs of the BJP may also be held on Friday to elect the leader of the legislative party, sources said.The dissolution of Parliament comes as political tensions rise in the state following the election results.
Mamata refuses to resign, says poll irregularities
Outgoing Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee addressed a meeting of newly elected Trinamool Congress MPs on Wednesday and said she will not resign from her post despite the election results.“I will not resign. Let them sack me. I hope this is a dark day. We have to be strong,” Banerjee said, according to ANI, citing party sources.She alleged that Trinamool Congress candidates were “forcefully defeated” and claimed that more than 1,500 party offices were “hijacked”.“This was not an election, it was an atrocity,” Banerjee said, while also accusing the Election Commission, Central Reserve Police Force and various departments of the state agencies of bias, ANI reported.She further claimed that the Trinamool Congress party had “morally” defeated the BJP and claimed that the Indian bloc has become more united after the Bengal poll results.Banerjee’s refusal to step down has created an unprecedented political situation and raised fears of a constitutional crisis in the state.
