Kolkata, May 6: Outgoing West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, addressing newly elected MLAs of her party, declared she will not resign following the assembly election results, stating that the Centre may dismiss her if it chooses, according to Trinamool Congress (TMC) sources on Wednesday.

Mamata alleged that many TMC candidates were “forcefully defeated” and claimed that over 1,500 party offices were “hijacked” during the polls. She also highlighted strengthened unity within the INDIA bloc after the elections.

Speaking passionately, she accused the ruling BJP of turning the state’s elections into an “atrocity” rather than a fair process. “We may have lost in numbers, but we defeated them morally,” she said. Mamata emphasized her determination to continue the struggle:

“After the Bengal polls, the INDIA team is united. I won’t resign. Let them dismiss me. This should be marked as a black day. On the first day of the Assembly, wear black clothes. Those who betrayed us will be removed from the party. I am laughing because I defeated them morally. I am a free bird. We worked for everyone. We might have lost, but we will fight. HM and PM are directly involved.”

TMC sources further claimed that Mamata faced harassment during the elections, saying she was “heckled and pushed,” and described the polls as violent. “Those who lost were forcefully defeated. I condemn the West Bengal Police, CRPF, BJP-influenced Chief Electoral Officer, and ECI. More than 1,500 party offices were taken over. I experienced chest pain due to this. This was not an election but an atrocity,” she asserted.

Mamata Banerjee’s refusal to step down has created an unprecedented political situation in the state, bordering on a constitutional dilemma. Meanwhile, the BJP, which secured a decisive victory by winning 207 seats, is moving forward with its government formation plans, marking the first BJP-led administration in West Bengal.