Resignations Follow TMC's Defeat in West Bengal Elections

In the wake of the Trinamool Congress's defeat in the West Bengal assembly elections, several key officials, including former Chief Secretary Alapan Bandyopadhyay, have resigned. Despite the resignations, Mamata Banerjee has chosen to remain in her position. The BJP's significant win, securing 207 out of 294 seats, has led to questions about the future of TMC leadership. This article delves into the resignations and the political context surrounding them, highlighting the implications for the state's governance.

By Narendra Chaudhary May 6, 2026, 18:43 IST

Resignations from Former Officials After Election Loss

Following the defeat of the Trinamool Congress (TMC) in the West Bengal assembly elections, several former bureaucrats and advisors appointed by outgoing Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee have submitted their resignations. Despite this, Banerjee has refused to step down from her position. Among those resigning are former Chief Secretary Alapan Bandyopadhyay, H.K. Dwivedi, Manoj Pant, and economist Abhirup Sarkar. Sarkar stated that he was the chairman of the West Bengal Infrastructure Development Corporation (WBIDC) and the West Bengal Small Industries Development Corporation (WBSIDC). He confirmed that he submitted his resignation to the respective department secretaries on Tuesday. In the assembly elections held in April, the BJP achieved a remarkable victory, securing 207 out of 294 seats, while the TMC managed to win only 80 seats.

Political Context of Resignations

Sarkar mentioned that although he is not a political figure, his appointments were political in nature, made by the then Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee. With her electoral defeat, he felt he had no moral right to remain in office. In May 2021, the central government had ordered the recall of then Chief Secretary Alapan Bandyopadhyay for his absence during a meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi following Cyclone Yaas. The state government was instructed to relieve the IAS officer and have him report back to North Block.

Banerjee later requested the Prime Minister to revoke the order. Subsequently, she announced that Bandyopadhyay, who had retired, would not take up his duties in Delhi but would be appointed as her chief advisor instead. He chose to retire on May 31, taking advantage of a three-month extension granted by the state government, rather than delaying his retirement.