West Bengal Governor R N Ravi is consulting with constitutional specialists prior to inviting the leader of the BJP legislative party to establish the new government, according to sources from Lok Bhavan on Wednesday.
Ravi has engaged in discussions with Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) Manoj Agarwal and Chief Secretary Dushyant Nariala.
Following their meeting, Agarwal stated, “The Election Commission of India (ECI) has already issued the official notification regarding the elected representatives. The governor will now make decisions in accordance with constitutional guidelines.”
A senior official at Lok Bhavan remarked, “According to Article 172 of the Constitution, the West Bengal Assembly will be dissolved at midnight on Wednesday. Subsequently, the current government and its Cabinet will also be dissolved. This Cabinet may continue to function as a caretaker government until a new administration is inaugurated.”
“The governor has the authority to replace the current government with a caretaker administration. However, new ministers would still need to be sworn in. He could also impose President’s rule temporarily. Once the Assembly is dissolved, the governor will call upon the largest party to form the new government. In the meantime, the leading party must select its legislative party leader,” the official elaborated.
Sources indicate that the BJP has not yet finalized the location for the swearing-in ceremony, although three venues are under consideration: Brigade Parade Ground, Netaji Indoor Stadium, and RG Kar Medical College and Hospital.
However, BJP insiders stated that all such decisions will be made once Union Home Minister Amit Shah arrives in Kolkata on Thursday.
It has already been determined that the new government will be sworn in on May 9, coinciding with the birth anniversary of Rabindranath Tagore.
Confusion surrounding the government formation emerged after outgoing Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee declared she would not resign, alleging that the elections had been compromised through the manipulation of electronic voting machines (EVMs).
Banerjee asserted, “We have not been defeated. I have not been defeated. I will not resign, and there is no question of my visiting Raj Bhavan. The BJP and the Election Commission have engaged in unethical practices to seize control of the election.”
She lost to the BJP’s Suvendu Adhikari by a margin of over 15,000 votes in Bhabanipur, as the BJP dominated the Assembly elections.
“I was assaulted at the counting center. They struck me in my abdomen and back, preventing my entry. My agent was also barred from entering. If this type of violence was directed at me, one can only imagine what other candidates endured,” Banerjee recounted.
Accusing EVMs of being tampered with, she questioned, “How can EVMs show 90 percent and 95 percent battery life during counting? We possess ample evidence.”
Banerjee mentioned that the Trinamool Congress is formulating a plan of action against the BJP and the Election Commission. “We are in the process of developing an action plan, but it is not something we can disclose at the moment,” she stated.
Atri Mitra serves as a distinguished Special Correspondent for The Indian Express, bringing over two decades of experience to his reporting. His work showcases a profound understanding of regional issues, focusing on significant administrative and political events, thus establishing his expertise in the field.
Experience:
- Current Role: Special Correspondent at The Indian Express.
- Over 20 years of extensive reporting, primarily focused on administration and political news.
- Significant reporting experience from West Bengal, Bihar, and the North-East, offering a comprehensive view of the socio-political landscape.
- More than a decade dedicated to covering key political developments in West Bengal.
- Notable coverage of the 2009 Lok Sabha election and the 2010 assembly elections during his tenure at Anandabazar Patrika, as well as the 2019 Bihar Lok Sabha election while at News18-Bangla.
- Career began at Anandabazar Patrika, where he worked for over fifteen years, including three years as the Bihar correspondent.
Education:
- Advanced Degree: Master’s in Economics from Rabindrabharati University, enhancing his analytical skills for political and administrative reporting.
- Undergraduate Degree: Bachelor’s from Calcutta University.
- Prestigious Alumni: Attended renowned institutions, including St. Xavier’s, Kolkata, and Ramakrishna Mission Asrama, Narendrapur.
Atri Mitra’s extensive reporting experience, concentrated focus on political and administrative topics, and solid academic background establish him as a reliable and authoritative source for news and analysis from Eastern and North-Eastern India.
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