Today, Trinamool Congress (TMC) chief Mamata Banerjee took oath as the chief minister of West Bengal (May 05, 10:45 am) for her third term.

Mamata Banerjee left her Kalighat residence for her swearing-in ceremony at Raj Bhavan. The newly elected MLAs of the TMC met and unanimously chose her the leader of the legislature before she called on the governor to stake claim to form the government. Banerjee, who lost from Nandigram despite the astounding TMC victory, can be sworn-in as the chief minister but will have to get elected to the assembly within six months of assuming office (Article 164(4)).

Today after her swearing-in ceremony, she will hold a review meeting on the situation arising out of Covid-19 in the state. The third time CM of West Bengal stated, “My first priority is tackling the Covid pandemic. I will go to Nabanna now and hold a meeting about the measures we are taking about this crisis. I will hold a press conference at 3 pm and let you know what measures we are taking.”

On her priorities in her third term, she further added, “My second priority is to tackle law and order in the state. I appeal to all political parties to refrain from any sort of violence. I will be posting special officers to handle the situation. We will handle the situation sternly.”

Also Read: Fake news being circulated regarding the post-poll violence in West Bengal

Responding to a question about her role in the 2024 general elections, Mamata Banerjee stated, “I am just a street fighter. I can boost the morale of the people so that we can fight a strong fight against the BJP. One cannot do everything alone and it should be a collective effort. If collectively we can take a decision, together we can fight the battle of 2024. But first let us fight this COVID crisis and then we will decide on this. Now is not the time.”

The TMC supremo has emerged victorious in the high-stakes, and highly personalized battles in West Bengal Assembly election on May 2. She has now become the CM of the state for her third consecutive term. The oath-taking ceremony, organized at Raj Bhavan, planned as a low-key programme given the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic, had some prominent faces in attendance.

A state government official stated that Mamata’s predecessor as CM, Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee, leader of Opposition of the outgoing House Abdul Mannan and CPI(M) veteran leader Biman Bose are among the few leaders who were invited to the ceremony.

Additionally Abhishek Banerjee, poll strategist Prashant Kishor and party leader Firhad Hakim were among the invitees for the ceremony which took place at the Raj Bhavan. BCCI president Sourav Ganguly was also been invited for the ceremony.

Also Read: Mamata Banerjee wins Bengal election but loses Nandigram to Suvendu Adhikari

Low-key event in view of pandemic

In view of the current Covid-19 situation in the country, Chief Ministers of other states and leaders of other political parties were been invited for the ceremony. While the infection tally in India has breached the 20-million mark, West Bengal has recorded 8,98,533 infections till date. On Tuesday, the state reported its highest single-day deaths of 107 Covid-19 patients, taking the toll to 11,744, the health department said in a bulletin.

An official stated, “It has been decided to keep the oath-taking ceremony of Mamata Banerjee a very simple one because of the Covid-19 pandemic. Banerjee will be the only leader who will be taking oath tomorrow. The programme will be a very brief one.”