Senior advocate Mahesh Jethmalani has demanded the dismissal of West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, calling her refusal to resign after electoral defeat 'unpardonable' and a 'challenge to the whole democratic system'. In an interview with NDTV, Jethmalani stated that once the Election Commission certifies results, the Chief Minister ceases to hold office at the Governor's pleasure and any continued occupation of the post is unlawful. He urged the Governor to formally dismiss her, saying, 'If she insists on sticking like a lemming to her chair, then the Governor must unceremoniously dismiss her.'

Banerjee, whose Trinamool Congress lost the state assembly elections to the BJP, declared at a press conference that she would not resign, asserting, 'I have not lost, so I will not go to Raj Bhavan.' She alleged that 100 seats were 'stolen' due to collusion between the Election Commission and the central government. Jethmalani dismissed her claims, advising her to file individual election petitions if she has evidence, but warned courts may reject them summarily given past rulings.

Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma echoed the call, stating that Banerjee will be dismissed if she does not resign, adding, 'The country doesn't run according to her whims.' The current assembly's term ends on May 7, and constitutional experts note the Governor holds the authority to dismiss the Chief Minister when no majority exists. Legal precedent supports executive action in such cases, though no formal move has yet been made by the Governor's office.

The Governor of West Bengal has not issued a statement, but constitutional provisions allow for the dismissal of a Chief Minister who has lost electoral mandate and refuses to step down. Legal and political observers are now awaiting the Governor's decision before the assembly's term expires. The court will hear any election petitions separately, but no stay has been granted on the results.