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The senior advocate emphasised that under the Constitution, a Chief Minister must step down if they no longer command a majority in the assembly.
Mamata Banerjee has alleged that the BJP, in collusion with the Election Commission, manipulated the West Bengal polls through voter roll deletions
West Bengal Polls: Former Solicitor General Harish Salve on Wednesday lashed out at outgoing West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee after she refused to resign from the post after losing assembly elections, cautioning against any instability and invoking comparisons to the United States Capitol attack.
The senior advocate emphasised that under the Constitution, a Chief Minister must step down if they no longer command a majority in the assembly. Questioning Banerjee’s stance on the election outcome, he said constitutional provisions are “sacrosanct” and cannot be set aside for political reasons.
He also referred to US President Donald Trump and hoped that Banerjee might take “inspiration from another great international leader who has embroiled this world in a war now.”
“I hope Mamata Banerjee’s not planning a Capitol Hill–like situation in Kolkata, but her term ends in two days. As far as states are concerned, unlike the Union, the Governor has the option of either inviting her to continue as caretaker Chief Minister or advising the Union to impose President’s Rule,” he said as quoted by news agency IANS.
Watch: Former Solicitor General of India and senior advocate Harish Salve says, “I think taking inspiration from another great international leader who has embroiled this world in a war now. I hope Mamata Banerjee’s not planning a Capitol Hill–like situation in Kolkata, but her… pic.twitter.com/Lx34cPd5Vh— IANS (@ians_india) May 6, 2026
He also outlined the options available to the Governor in such a scenario, including inviting the incumbent to continue as a caretaker chief minister or recommending the imposition of President’s Rule.
“They may impose President’s Rule,” he noted, adding that talk of running a parallel government would likely be “a burst of anger” that would subside.
Mamata Refuses To Resign
Salve’s remarks came after the outgoing Chief Minister said she would not resign, insisting that she has not lost the election despite the results, and claiming the verdict was the outcome of a “conspiracy”.
Addressing a press conference after the outcome, the Trinamool Congress (TMC) chief claimed that her party had “morally” won and alleged that the verdict was influenced by force.
She also alleged that the BJP, in collusion with the Election Commission, manipulated the West Bengal polls through voter roll deletions, officer transfers, raids, and arrests. She called the election the most rigged of her career, accusing Prime Minister Modi and Home Minister Shah of direct interference.
West Bengal Poll Results
In a sweeping electoral mandate, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has secured a decisive victory in the West Bengal Assembly elections, winning 207 seats- well past the two-thirds majority mark- and bringing an end to Mamata Banerjee-led Trinamool Congress’s (TMC) 15-year rule.
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.
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