The Governor of West Bengal, R.N. Ravi, has dissolved the state assembly, formally ending Mamata Banerjee’s 15-year tenure as Chief Minister. The decision follows the Bharatiya Janata Party’s (BJP) sweeping victory in the recent state elections, where it won over 200 seats, paving the way for its first government in West Bengal. Mamata Banerjee, who had led the state since 2011 through three consecutive terms, reportedly showed reluctance to submit her resignation to the Governor, raising concerns about a potential constitutional impasse.

Following the announcement of election results on May 4, widespread violence erupted across the state. Police reports confirm at least four deaths and 433 arrests, with more than 200 cases filed. Clashes between supporters of the Trinamool Congress and the BJP have been reported in several districts, including Kolkata. Both parties are blaming each other for the unrest.

The situation intensified after the shooting death of Chandranath Rath, a close aide of BJP leader Suvendu Adhikari. The BJP has called it a planned political killing, while the Trinamool Congress accuses BJP-backed groups of inciting violence. The state now faces both political transition and deep instability.