Governor dissolves West Bengal assembly even as Mamata Banerjee refuses to resign as chief minister.

Samajwadi Party National President Akhilesh Yadav met with Mamata Banerjee and Trinamool Congress MP Abhishek Banerjee in Kolkata.

In the charged atmosphere of West Bengal's political landscape, even the simplest gestures often carry deeper meaning. Prime Minister Narendra Modi's decision to stop and enjoy jhalmuri during his visit to the state may have appeared casual at first glance, but in electoral politics, such moments rarely remain just symbolic. Instead, they evolve into powerful narratives that reflect intent, connection, and messaging.

Interestingly, jhalmuri is now set to be a part of the celebrations during the swearing-in ceremony of the newly elected cabinet of the BJP government in West Bengal. These preparations will be made on the sidelines of the massive show of strength planned at the brigade parade ground in Kolkata on Saturday (May 9) morning.

Jhalmuri Comeback In Bengal Oath After PM's Viral Grassroots Message">

Unanswered questions loom large over Suvendu aide's killing @ParmeshwarBawa pic.twitter.com/kBzTzpiO0Y

— NDTV (@ndtv) May 7, 2026

The car of Chandranath Rath, BJP leader Suvendu Adhikari's personal assistant who was shot dead in West Bengal's Madhyamgram on Wednesday night, was blocked by a vehicle with a fake number plate before a gang of assailants riding motorcycles pumped three bullets into him, said investigators as they weave a sequence of events that led to the murder.

The sensational murder took place at around 10.30 pm. The victim's car was intercepted near Doltala in Madhyamgram by motorcycle-borne assailants who tailed his vehicle. The car with the fake number plate reportedly forced Rath's car to stop in the middle of the road. The bike-borne attackers then shot him through the car's window.

The occupants of the car with the fake number plate abandoned the vehicle and escaped on the motorcycle.

A doctor at the hospital told PTI that the victim was brought dead with bullet injuries to his chest, including one to his heart.

The BJP on Thursday stepped up the demand for the arrest of those involved in the killing of a close aide of its leader Suvendu Adhikari, alleging that the murder was a testament to "complete collapse" of law and order in the state under the rule of the TMC government.

The saffron party also accused the TMC of fostering "lawlessness" after losing power in the recent assembly polls.

In a shocking development within 48 hours of the assembly poll verdict, Chandranath Rath, Adhikari's executive assistant, was shot dead in a brazen attack at Madhyamgram on Wednesday night, escalating tension in the area.

"A person closely associated with the leader of the opposition was targeted in a planned manner. This shows how law and order have deteriorated under the Mamata Banerjee government, which the people of Bengal have thrown out of power," a BJP leader said.

BJP's Suvendu Adhikari on Thursday said the killing of his personal assistant (PA), Chandranath Rath, was a "pre-planned murder" and alleged that the killers had carried out "recce for two to three days".

Speaking to reporters outside the hospital where Rath was taken after the attack, Adhikari said the incident was a "cold-blooded murder".

"The incident is heart-wrenching; we condemn the incident," he said.

Adhikari said Bengal Director General of Police Siddh Nath Gupta had assured him that the matter would be investigated thoroughly.

"The way the attack was executed clearly suggests that the assailants had done a recce beforehand," he alleged.

He said that Union Minister Sukanta Majumdar, a former West Bengal BJP president, has spoken to Rath's family.

The West Bengal Police are examining CCTV footage and have formed several teams to trace the assailants as part of its investigation into the killing of BJP leader Suvendu Adhikari's close aide, a senior officer said on Thursday.

The police are also probing whether contract killers were engaged in the murder of Chandranath Rath, who was shot dead in North 24 Parganas district on Wednesday night. "Investigators are examining CCTV footage from the crime spot and nearby areas, while multiple police teams have been formed to trace the assailants," the police officer said.

🔴#BREAKING | Forensic team, FSL arrive at hospital, collects sample from car after Suvendu's top aide killed
NDTV's @TanushkaDutta joins @reetksahni with more details pic.twitter.com/l6HaPqotq5

— NDTV (@ndtv) May 7, 2026

BJP leader Suvendu Adhikari on Thursday described the gunning down of his close aide Chandranath Rath as a "cold-blooded murder" and alleged that the killers had carried out reconnaissance before executing the attack in West Bengal's North 24 Parganas district.

"This incident is symptomatic of the culture of violence prevalent all these years, cultivated by the Trinamool Congress. He has been brutally murdered. This should be thoroughly investigated. There is a deeper conspiracy behind the killing," BJP leader Nikhil Prasun told NDTV.

Suvendu Adhikari's PA, Chandranath Rath, was hit by three out of four bullets fired at him while he was in a moving car, sources said. The suspects followed his car and opened fire when it slowed down, they said.

Following the death of his personal assistant Chandranath Rath, BJP leader Suvendu Adhikari reached Viva City Hospital in Madhyamgram.

BJP Leader Suvendu Adhikari's personal secretary shot dead in West Bengal's Madhyamgram.

Speaking on post poll violence, BJP leader Suvendu Adhikari said, "There are some goons are still out there, BJP led goverment would take stong action. No post poll violence is taking place in Bengal. The sporadic incident have been reported so far were much less than the post poll violence happened in 2021. I am not defending any violence. We will dig out all files regarding the post poll violence happened in 2021. We will form a commission to dig out all facts related to post poll violence. Those will find guity will be punished."

"Congratulations to the BJP on receiving the mandate to form the new government in Bengal. I sincerely hope the government works towards the progress, peace and development of our state and make sure people’s voice is heard," Trinamool Congress MP Dev Adhikar wrote.

"As someone deeply connected to both public life and the film fraternity, I would earnestly request the new government to uphold the spirit of unity and artistic freedom by ensuring that the culture of bans and divisions within the Bengali film industry becomes a thing of the past. Cinema is one of Bengal’s greatest identities, and its growth can only happen through mutual respect, coexistence and collective progress," he added.

A bulldozer rolled onto the streets in Kolkata's bustling Hogg Market, or the historic New Market, last evening after the BJP swept the West Bengal elections. A Trinamool party office was allegedly targeted by a group that came with the bulldozer, in an incident that left the area tense and forced many traders to shut their shops early. A case has been filed, and four persons arrested by Kolkata Police in connection with complaints of vandalism. 

The Trinamool condemned it as an "act of brazen hooliganism and gundagardi".

An "anti-incumbency wave", Hindu consolidation, and some discontent issues at the local level led to Trinamool's big defeat in the West Bengal Assembly Elections, MP Saugata Roy told NDTV.

Calling the results "truly disappointing", Roy claimed there are chances of extortion in some places. However, he said that they "do not lead to any major systematic change". "It's necessary to study it in depth...The results were sad. We did not expect this. However, whatever results have been declared, our supremo, Mamata Banerjee, has stated that she does not accept them. She believes that rigging occurred in nearly 100 assembly seats, which is why she is not accepting them," he told NDTV.

Roy further invoked a quote by Winston Churchill on the Bengal defeat. 

"In general, I would say to repeat what Churchill said during World War II: Generosity in victory, firmness in defeat. This is how I view the election results," he said.

Two former chief secretaries – Alapan Bandyopadhyay and HK Dwivedi – have resigned as chief advisors to Mamata Banerjee.

Bandyopadhyay had been at the centre of a standoff between the state and the Centre in 2021 over a transfer order. Subsequently, he was appointed as chief advisor to Banerjee after his retirement.

Eminent economist Abhirup Sarkar has also stepped down from the dual posts of chairman of the West Bengal Industrial Development Corporation (WBIDC) and West Bengal Small Industries Development Corporation (WBSIDC).

Earlier, the state’s Advocate General Kishore Dutta had submitted his resignation to Governor R N Ravi.

Suvendu Adhikari addressed party workers and supporters in Nandigram in Purba Medinipur district and appealed to them not to take out victory processions immediately and instead maintain peace.

"Do not take out victory rallies now. Maintain peace and discipline. Celebrate after May 9, the day the new government will be formed," he told them.

BJP leader Suvendu Adhikari, who defeated Mamata Banerjee in Bhabanipur and secured Nandigram for a third term, has said that he would vacate one of the two constituencies within 10 days.

He also asserted that the party's central leadership would decide which constituency he would retain.

“I will vacate one seat within 10 days. The party will decide which one I retain. I will not forget my responsibility towards the people of Bhabanipur and Nandigram," he said.

The Election Commission (EC) has issued a notification for the constitution of a new assembly in West Bengal, following the completion of the electoral process in the state.

The notification has been sent to the governor of West Bengal, formally marking the end of the election cycle and setting the stage for the formation of a new government.

A senior EC official said the issuance of the notification on Tuesday is a key constitutional step after the declaration of the assembly poll results.

"With this, the process of constituting the new assembly in West Bengal is complete from the commission's end. It enables the next steps in government formation as per laid-down procedures," the official said.

He added that the commission ensured adherence to all norms during the conduct of the elections.

"The entire exercise, from polling to counting, was carried out in a free, fair and transparent manner, in line with the statutory framework," he said.

The notification paves the way for the swearing-in of elected representatives and the formation of the new government in the state, the official added.

A key meeting of the BJP will be held in Kolkata on May 8, where Suvendu Adhikari is expected to be chosen as the leader of the legislative party, sources have said. 

BJP State President Samit Bhattacharya will propose Suvendu Adhikari's name, and Home Minister Amit Shah will announce his election as the legislative party leader, paving the way to make him the new Bengal chief minister.

Mamata Banerjee's refusal to resign after the 2026 Bengal election has set up an extraordinary constitutional crisis that is likely to be kicked up to Governor RN Ravi and maybe the Supreme Court for resolution.

There is no explicit provision in the Constitution demanding a chief minister resign after losing an election. Standing down after a poll defeat - at the core of a peaceful transfer of power - is a convention rather than the rule, though that could well change now.

All the retired bureaucrats appointed by Mamata Banerjee in the West Bengal government have been barred from offices ahead of the new BJP government formation in the state. Retired officials who were serving in various departments have been instructed not to attend the office from today onwards, officials said.

Sources told NDTV that West Bengal Chief Secretary Dushyant Nariala conveyed this directive from Lok Bhavan to all departmental secretaries. Secretaries of each department have reportedly been verbally communicated this order within their respective offices.

The BJP has attacked Mamata Banerjee over her statement that she would not resign despite her party's defeat, calling the stand "anarchic" and against India's democratic traditions.

The party described her refusal as "constitutional blasphemy" and accused her of undermining the principle of peaceful transfer of power.

BJP national spokesperson Sambit Patra said Banerjee's stand is "concerning" as India has a long-standing tradition of peaceful transfer of power.

"This is both laughable and concerning. It is concerning because India's democracy is known for its dignity and grace in the peaceful transfer of power.

"Since Independence, such a situation has never arisen where two parties get entangled in this manner during a transition. Over the last 75 years, India has earned global recognition for this remarkable democratic tradition.

"But what Mamata Banerjee has said and done today is deeply unfortunate. This is an attack on a long-standing democratic convention. It is not an attack on the BJP, but an attack on democracy and the Constitution," he told reporters.

Senior advocate Mahesh Jethmalani has said that Mamata Banerjee's behaviour is "unpardonable" and a "challenge to the whole democratic system".

Once an election is certified by the Election Commission, the Chief Minister ceases to be a Chief Minister, he said in an exclusive interview to NDTV.

"It is an insult and she deserves to be taught a lesson... I'm glad she did this. I'm glad that this is her attitude so that the Governor can dismiss her instead of her gracefully resigning... the Governor must formally dismiss her because she holds office at his pleasure," Jethmalani said. "If she insists on sticking like a lemming to her chair, then the Governor must unceremoniously dismiss her. I would like to say, given this conduct, kick her out," he added.

In case Banerjee continues to occupy her office, the Governor could send in the police and "evict her," Jethmalani said.

"She is a trespasser in the Chief Minister's office from now on. The moment the election is certified - election results are certified - she is a trespasser," he added.

Mamata Banerjee has alleged that the West Bengal assembly poll verdict was "not a people’s mandate but a conspiracy".

"The question of my resignation does not arise, as we were defeated not by a public mandate but by a conspiracy…I did not lose; I will not go to Lok Bhavan," she said.

Bengal Chief Minister and Trinamool Congress president Mamata Banerjee has refused to resign after losing the state to the BJP.

Banerjee, who has served three consecutive terms in power, has said that she has not lost the election and the mandate the BJP got on Monday was the result of "loot".