West Bengal Governor dissolves State Legislative Assembly

West Bengal Governor R. N. Ravi has dissolved the State’s Legislative Assembly with effect from May 7, 2026.

“In exercise of the power conferred on me by sub-clause (b) of Clause (2) of Article 174 of the Constitution of India, I hereby dissolve the Legislative Assembly of West Bengal with effect from 7th of May 2026,” a gazette notification issued by the order of the Governor said.

The 17th West Bengal Legislative Assembly which was sworn in after the 2021 assembly elections now stands dissolved. The development is significant because Mamata Banerjee had declared that she would not resign as Chief Minister of the State.

In the recently concluded Assembly polls, the BJP ended 15 years of Trinamool Congress rule by winning 207 seats in the 294-member house. The Trinamool was reduced to 80 seats.

The swearing in of the first BJP government in West Bengal will be held at the Brigade Parade Grounds on Saturday (May 9, 2026). Newly elected BJP legislators will meet on Friday (May 8, 2026) at 4p.m. The BJP has appointed Union Home Minister Amit Shah as the central observer who will preside over the meeting. BJP leader Suvendu Adhikari, who defeated Mamata Banerjee, is a front runner for the post of Chief Minister.

Mr. Shah is likely to arrive in Kolkata on Thursday (May 7, 2026) night. He will take stock of the law and order situation following incidents of violence after the polls. On Wednesday (May 6, 2026) night, Chandranath Rath, the personal assistant of Suvendu Adhikari was shot dead at Madhyamgram in North 24 Parganas.