Kolkata, May 6: Former Governor of Tripura, Tathagata Roy, has reacted to the BJP’s victory in West Bengal and Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee‘s stubborn attitude. He recalled the BJP’s long struggle in Bengal and expressed hope that the new government would uplift the state.
In an interview with a news agency, Roy addressed several topics, including violence-free elections, allegations against the Election Commission by the TMC, and Banerjee’s statements following her defeat.
When asked about the BJP forming a government in West Bengal for the first time, Roy stated, “The BJP’s struggle began long ago. The Bharatiya Janata Sangh was established in 1951, founded by Syama Prasad Mukherjee. This clearly indicates that the BJP, which emerged from the Bharatiya Janata Sangh, is a party of West Bengal. After Mukherjee, no one was able to manage the Bharatiya Janata Sangh, leading to its decline. At one time, the BJP was in a position similar to that of the current Congress and CPM. The party rose after the Ram Mandir movement, and the situation changed dramatically after Narendra Modi became Prime Minister in 2014.”
He noted that the BJP performed well in the 2016 elections and has seen a steady increase in support since then. “Unfortunately, the BJP did not win in 2021. However, since then, the party has intensified its efforts. Central leaders have worked to strengthen the state unit. The victory in 2026 is a result of that.”
When asked about his expectations from the new government, Roy expressed concern over the previous administrations, stating, “The past governments have pushed West Bengal backward. The CPM did this first, followed by the TMC. I hope the new BJP government will uplift West Bengal from its current conditions. The law and order situation in the state is very poor, and the BJP government must first improve it. Additionally, strict action must be taken against corruption and extortion.”
Regarding the role of the Election Commission in ensuring free and fair elections, he remarked, “The Election Commission has conducted the elections well. The CPM started increasing electoral violence in Bengal from 1960. Violence has occurred during every election. In 1988, during elections, many people had their hands cut off for voting for Congress. The Congress did not take any action against this. Under the TMC, violence occurred not only during elections but at any time. However, this time, the Election Commission completely prevented violence during the elections.”
In response to Mamata Banerjee‘s serious allegations against the Election Commission, claiming she was not defeated but rather ‘defeated’, Roy said, “Mamata Banerjee‘s behavior is like that of a small child. She should prove her allegations.”
When asked about Banerjee’s insistence on not resigning and her claim that she has not lost, Roy explained, “Mamata Banerjee cannot single-handedly undermine the constitutional framework. The current assembly’s term will end on the 8th. According to the rules, the Chief Minister must resign afterward. Once the assembly term ends, President’s rule will automatically be imposed. The Governor will then invite the largest party to form a new government.”
On the comparison of Banerjee’s behavior to that of former U.S. President Donald Trump, who refused to resign, Roy commented, “I believe Mamata Banerjee’s mental state is not right. One thing is clear: there is a significant difference between the constitutions of the U.S. and India. Mamata Banerjee has lost the election, and she must resign.”
Finally, when asked about Rahul Gandhi’s claims of irregularities in the Bengal elections and his statement that opposition parties should not celebrate Banerjee’s defeat, Roy dismissed Gandhi’s remarks, saying, “There is no meaning in Rahul Gandhi’s statements. I find them amusing after watching his interviews.”