'Desperate To Cling To Power': Mahesh Jethmalani Slams Mamata Banerjee Over Refusal To Resign; Urges Governor To Dismiss Her

West Bengal Assembly Election Result 2026: A major controversy has erupted following Mamata Banerjee's refusal to resign as Chief Minister despite suffering a significant defeat in the 2026 West Bengal Assembly election. While the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) secured a decisive victory with 207 seats, Banerjee has dismissed the results, alleging that approximately 100 seats were 'snatched' from her party and accusing the government and the Election Commission of India (ECI) of colluding to influence the outcome.

In a sharp rebuke of Banerjee's "I will not resign" stance, Senior Advocate Mahesh Jethmalani characterised her refusal to vacate office as a desperate attempt to cling to power.

Speaking to news agency ANI, Jethmalani said, "Mamata Banerjee is a politician who is desperate to cling on to power that she doesn't know how to leave gracefully. The result of her not leaving gracefully is that she will have to be dismissed in disgrace."

Jethmalani further said that if Banerjee feels that she has lost the election unfairly, her only legal recourse is to challenge it.

"If she does feel that she has lost unfairly, the only person she can go to is the Supreme Court or Calcutta High Court and file a petition..." he said.

Jethmalani said that a Chief Minister enjoys the power only at the pleasure of the Governor; if an incumbent wrongly clings to office, it is the duty of the Governor to formally dismiss them.

Mamata Refuses To Resign, Alleges 100 Seats Were Snatched From TMC

Mamata Banerjee has categorically refused to resign as Chief Minister, asserting that she did not lose the election. She alleged that approximately 100 seats were 'snatched' from the Trinamool Congress (TMC) and accused both the central government and the Election Commission of India (ECI) of colluding to manipulate the results.

Other Leaders Raise Questions

Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma has weighed in, stating that Banerjee must be dismissed if she refuses to step down voluntarily. Sarma emphasised that the country cannot be run by the 'whims' of a single individual and urged Banerjee to respect the democratic mandate.