Following a historic defeat in the West Bengal Assembly elections, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has refused to resign, asserting that her party has not truly lost the public mandate.

Speaking a day after the results were declared, Mamata alleged that the Election Commission of India engaged in “nasty games” specifically targeting the Trinamool Congress (TMC) throughout the electoral process.

The election results signal a monumental shift in West Bengal’s political landscape, with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) secured a landslide victory, winning 207 out of 294 seats.

This outcome paves the way for the BJP to form its first-ever government in the state on May 9.

Meanwhile, the TMC was reduced to just 80 seats, ending over a decade of dominance.

In a personal blow, Mamata also lost her traditional Bhabanipur stronghold to her former aide and senior BJP leader, Suvendu Adhikari.

Mamata, who has held the office of Chief Minister since 2011, has leveled serious accusations of large-scale “seat manipulation” and systemic irregularities.

Notably, this was the first election conducted following the controversial removal of approximately 9 million voters from the electoral rolls under the Special Intensive Revision (SIR).

Responding to the results, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi welcomed the change, stating that West Bengal had finally been “freed from fear” and is now set to move toward a new era of development and progress.