Former Solicitor General of India, Harish Salve, stated that Mamata Banerjee’s refusal to resign post the West Bengal election loss may not lead to a constitutional crisis. Salve mentioned that the Governor could choose not to appoint her as acting Chief Minister or recommend President’s Rule. He humorously remarked about a potential Capitol-like situation in Kolkata, drawing a parallel to events in the US. Salve criticized Banerjee for questioning electoral fairness and constitutional institutions, labeling it as undemocratic behavior.
Salve highlighted the trend of politicians challenging constitutional bodies, citing Banerjee’s criticism of the Election Commission and Arvind Kejriwal’s actions against a High Court judge. He expressed concern over the erosion of trust in institutions and the shift towards subjective truths over objective reality. Banerjee’s refusal to step down gracefully post-election, unlike other Chief Ministers, has raised concerns about the peaceful transfer of power in West Bengal. She has alleged electoral malpractice and rejected calls for resignation, claiming the election results do not reflect the true public sentiment.
