While both Pinarayi Vijayan and M. K. Stalin resigned from their chief ministerial posts after electoral setbacks, Mamata Banerjee is yet to submit her resignation following the 2026 Assembly election results in West Bengal, where the Trinamool Congress suffered a defeat.
Local reports have speculated on why Banerjee has not immediately stepped down despite the results being declared on Monday. She is currently still holding office, even as political debate intensifies over the transition of power in the state.
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Banerjee had, however, resigned from over 20 administrative posts she held as Chief Minister in March 2026 ahead of the elections, including positions in key state health bodies.
When she first came to power in 2011, then Chief Minister Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee resigned on the day of counting and declaration of results, setting a precedent that many expected Banerjee to follow. Instead, she visited the counting centre at Shekhawat and alleged large-scale irregularities, claiming votes were “looted” and that nearly 100 seats were “stolen”.
Reiterating her stand, Banerjee said her fight was not against the BJP but against the Election Commission, which she accused of bias. She maintained that the TMC did not truly lose the election and said she would not resign, calling the result unfair.
Political observers have questioned whether she may pursue legal challenges or other institutional remedies regarding her allegations. However, there is uncertainty over any immediate action from Raj Bhavan if she continues in office without resigning.
Meanwhile, Pinarayi Vijayan had submitted his resignation to Governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar after the CPI(M) lost in Kerala, while M. K. Stalin also resigned following the results in Tamil Nadu, with both being asked to continue in office until new arrangements are made.
