“Buddhadeb should resign and call for immediate elections,” Ray told reporters here.

Praising Trinamool Congress supremo Mamata Banerjee for single-handedly and successfully taking on the might of the Left brigade, Ray said, “The 34-year Red rule has ushered in dark days for the state.”

Saying he considers himself a Congressman, Ray claimed Banerjee’s Trinamool Congress is the original Congress in the state now and not the West Bengal Pradesh Congress.

A former Governor of Punjab credited with curbing militancy in the state, Ray said the Centre has the option of imposing Article 356 in the whole state or in the districts of West Midnapore, Bankura and Purulia most affected by Maoist violence.