The TMC supremo said that she no longer holds any official position and would now focus on rebuilding the opposition’s INDIA bloc.
Outgoing West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee addresses a press conference. (ANI)
After suffering a crushing defeat in the recently held West Bengal assembly polls, outgoing Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Tuesday vowed to continue working for the people and strengthen the Opposition as she claimed that she is “a free bird now.”
While addressing a press conference, the TMC supremo said that she no longer holds any official position and would now focus on rebuilding the opposition’s Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance (INDIA).
“My target is very clear. I will strengthen the INDIA team… I don’t have any chair now, so I am a commoner,” she said, adding that she had dedicated her life to public service and had not drawn a salary or pension during her tenure.
The TMC leader, who lost to BJP’s Suvendu Adhikari from Bhabanipur, strongly contested the election outcome, alleging large-scale irregularities and accusing the Election Commission of bias. She claimed that democratic rights were undermined during the polls and described the process as “unprecedented.”
“I will not resign, I did not lose,” Banerjee said, asserting that while the results may show otherwise, her party had “morally” won the election.
She further alleged voter deletions, misuse of administrative machinery, and interference during polling and counting. Banerjee also claimed that her party workers and counting agents were intimidated and attacked, and raised questions about the functioning of electronic voting machines.
The TMC chief accused the BJP of influencing the electoral process and said the party had fought against a powerful “machinery.” She also alleged that there was interference from top leadership at the Centre.
Despite the setback, Banerjee maintained that she would remain politically active and continue her fight.
West Bengal Poll Results
Her remarks came a day after the BJP secured a decisive victory in the West Bengal Assembly elections, winning 206 seats- well past the two-thirds majority mark- and bringing an end to Mamata Banerjee-led Trinamool Congress’s (TMC) 15-year rule.
Final figures showed the saffron party winning 206 seats, while the TMC lagged behind with 80 seats and a marginal lead in one constituency, as per Election Commission data on Tuesday morning.
The majority mark in the 294-member House is 148. The result signals a decisive shift in the state’s political direction and ideological balance.
For the first time in decades, West Bengal is poised to be governed by the same party that holds power at the Centre, a development likely to have far-reaching administrative and political consequences.
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