Following the electoral defeat of the Trinamool Congress (TMC) to the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in West Bengal, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee announced on May 5, 2026, that she would not resign, alleging that the election results were a result of a conspiracy rather than a true mandate from the people. According to Article 164(1) of the Indian Constitution, the Governor has the authority to appoint and remove a Chief Minister, but this power is exercised based on the confidence of the Legislative Assembly. Historically, the Supreme Court has interpreted the Governor's powers as being contingent upon the advice of the Council of Ministers. If a Governor seeks to replace a Chief Minister, a floor test must be conducted to determine if the incumbent still holds majority support in the Assembly. The current West Bengal Assembly's term is set to expire on May 7, 2026, at which point Banerjee will automatically cease to hold office unless a new government is formed. Additionally, election petitions can be filed in the Calcutta High Court to challenge the election results on various grounds, including allegations of electoral malpractice. The situation raises questions about the balance of power between the Governor and the Chief Minister, as well as the integrity of the electoral process in West Bengal.