Bengal democracy being held at gunpoint: Pradhan on Mamata’s refusal to resign

Bhubaneswar: Union education minister and senior BJP leader Dharmendra Pradhan on Wednesday launched a sharp attack on outgoing West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee for her refusal to resign even after poll defeat, accusing her of undermining the democratic mandate and institutions.“Democracy in Bengal is being held at gunpoint and the refusal to accept the electoral verdict lays this reality bare,” Pradhan wrote in a post on X, alleging that public mandates were being treated “less like the people’s voice and more like suggestions open to rejection”.Reacting to Mamata’s questioning of the election outcome, he said it raised “a serious question” on whether power was being treated as a responsibility or an entitlement. “People of Bengal would have expected humility after a public mandate. What we are witnessing instead is resistance to accountability,” said Pradhan, who was among the key BJP campaigners in West Bengal.The BJP leader alleged that in “clinging to power”, Mamata was attempting to erode the credibility of institutions such as Election Commission and security forces, which ensured free and fair polls. He claimed Bengal had long been marked by intimidation, syndicate networks and entrenched political patronage, and her response was a continuation of that system.“A true democrat bows to the people. This mandate is a rejection of fear, coercion and a demand for accountability. To ignore it is to undermine the very foundation of democratic legitimacy. The Constitution of India does not recognise stubbornness as a virtue in governance. Accountability is not optional and mandates are non-negotiable,” Pradhan said.As reported earlier, Mamata on Tuesday said she would not resign as chief minister, alleging that the elections were rigged by the Election Commission.