Mamata Banerjee was sworn in as West Bengal's chief minister at Raj Bhavan on Wednesday morning (May 5). Banerjee discussed the allegations of political violence in the state following the announcement of assembly election results after being sworn in.
“For the last three months, the state was under the Election Commission and I did not have much say. There was a lot of inefficiency in the state system during this time. I will set up a new police system today itself and tackle the violence with utmost firmness.” She added that tackling the “law and order” in the state was a priority for her. “I appeal to all political parties to refrain from any sort of violence. I will be posting special officers to handle the situation and will handle the situation sternly,” Banerjee further said.
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the swearing-in ceremony for the chief of the Trinamool Congress Party was held low-key.
“In view of current Covid situation function will be with limited audience,” Dhankhar had earlier revealed on Twitter. He had also mentioned that the ceremony will only have a few invitees.
“We want Biman Banerjee to become the speaker of the Assembly. Meanwhile, Subrata Mukherjee has been made the protem speaker,” TMC leader Partha Chatterjee had said while briefing the media.
“Matter still pending with Election Commission,” Chatterjee said when asked how Banerjee would be sworn in as chief minister despite losing the Nandigram seat. There is also a clause in the constitution. There would be no impediment... No one will be able to prevent Mamata Banerjee from becoming Chief Minister.”
On Monday, Banerjee resigned as chief minister and handed over her resignation letter to Dhankhar. She had met the newly elected representatives earlier in the day at Trinamool Bhavan, where she had been elected the legislative party's chief.
Fresh from the state assembly win, Banerjee is already eyeing Lok Sabha elections in 2024. “I am a street fighter. All I can do is give a boost to the people to fight together in 2024. I think, all together, we can fight the battle for 2024. But right now we have to fight COVID-19. We have to defeat it first. Then we can discuss all this. We can hold a Brigade rally where leaders from other states will be called,” she said recently.
Banerjee will be given a guard of honour by Kolkata Police after the swearing-in ceremony at Nabanna, the state secretariat, according to sources. Following that, she will hold an emergency meeting at the office – her first in her new job – to discuss the rising COVID-19 crisis in the state. The other cabinet members will be sworn in on May 6 and 7 maintaining all COVID Protocols
After eight rounds of voting in West Bengal, Banerjee's Trinamool Congress secured 213 seats (out of a total of 292), while the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) secured only 77.
