‘Morally we won’: Mamata Banerjee refuses to resign after TMC defeat, says 'hasn’t lost election'

West Bengal’s outgoing Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, who also
lost her bastion seat in Bhabanipur, said on Tuesday that she would not resign from the post, insisting she has not lost the election despite the results.

Addressing a press conference after the outcome, the Trinamool Congress (TMC) supremo claimed that her party had “morally” won and alleged that the
verdict was influenced by force.

Though it is a constitutional and established practice for an outgoing Chief Minister to resign after completing their term, Banerjee stood firm. “I haven’t lost. We didn’t lose the election. It’s their forceful attempt. Morally, we won the election,” she said.

Kolkata, West Bengal: Outgoing West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee says, “…If I would have loose, I would have given my resignation. But if anyone thinks I will resign under pressure, that is not going to happen. We did not lose the election, it is there forceful attempt…” pic.twitter.com/5PUvp8j9bk

— IANS (@ians_india) May 5, 2026

The BJP scripted history in the West Bengal Assembly polls, winning 206 seats to secure a more than two-thirds majority. The result ended the TMC’s 15-year rule and marked a decisive shift in the state’s political and ideological centre of gravity.

Meanwhile, other outgoing Chief Ministers have stepped down following their defeats. DMK president M.K. Stalin resigned as the Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu after the ruling party lost the Assembly elections, which saw a debut victory for Vijay-led Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK).

In Kerala, Pinarayi Vijayan also resigned as Chief Minister on Monday after the Left Democratic Front (LDF) suffered a crushing defeat in the April 9 Assembly elections, bringing an end to a decade-long tenure.

An official statement from Lok Bhavan on Tuesday said Governor Arlekar has accepted Stalin’s resignation.

The formal resignation of a Chief Minister after the completion of a term and the declaration of election results is a constitutional and well-established procedure, followed by both outgoing and re-elected leaders to ensure a smooth transition of power.