Mamata Banerjee on Wednesday took oath as West Bengal Chief Minister for the third time at the Governor’s House in Kolkata amid COVID-19 pandemic and post-poll violence in parts of the state. She was administered the oath by Governor Jagdeep Dhankhar.
Mamata Banerjee was seen in her trademark white sari and shawl as she took the oath in Bengali. The rest of the cabinet and the Council of Ministers will take oath on May 9.
Mamata Banerjee registered a landslide victory in West Bengal polls and secured a third consecutive term. Her Party Trinamool Congress (TMC) won 213 out of 292 seats, while its arch rival, BJP, managed second spot with 77 seats.
Mamata may begin her new term with a meeting with senior officials on the COVID situation as well as and law and order in the state.
The state has witnessed clashes since the verdict of the election came out on Sunday. Both Trinamool Congress and BJP have blamed each other for the violence.
Meanwhile, minutes after Mamata Banerjee took oath, Dhankhar sent out a message to her on the violence in the state.
“I have every hope that the Chief Minister on an urgent basis will take all the steps to restore the rule of law. I have every hope that the Chief Minister, my younger sister, will rise to the occasion,” Mr Dhankhar said.
“You have to rise above partisan interests. I am sure you will script a new governance pattern,” he said.
ALSO READ: PM Modi Calls Guv Dhankhar Over Post-Poll Violence In West Bengal
