Bengal takes cue from Tamil Nadu: Mamata's ministers to take oath in batches

Kolkata, May 27: West Bengal is all set to take a leaf out of Tamil Nadu's book. Just like the ministers of Chief Minister Jayalalithaa took oath in batches in the southern state after her AIADMK won its second consecutive term, the ministers of Mamata Banerjee will also do the same at a mega ceremony to be held at Red Road here on Friday (May 27). [List of women CMs in India till date]

West Bengal Governor Kesari Nath Tripathi gave the proposal to swear in a batch of ministers, keeping in mind the weather and to save time. Banerjee agreed to it. It has also been decided that the ministers will also take oath in a number of languages, including Urdu. [Bangladesh PM gifts Mamata 20-kg Hilsa]

Earlier, the ministers were sworn in individually after the chief minister took the oath.

The governor is scheduled to arrive at the venue around 12.40 pm. The stage has been prepared near Fort William. The place has been decked up in lights and fountains and is open for the common man. Banerjee said while invitations have been sent to 1,000 special geusts, the rest of the 19,000 seats are open for all.

A number of heavyweights are likely to be present on the occasion. Security has been beefed up at the venue. Besides security personnel on the ground, drones will also keep a watch on the proceedings from above.

The oath-taking will begin around 12.45 pm. A high tea will follow the ceremony. Thereafter, Banerjee and her ministers will head for Nabanna---the state secretariat where the Kolkata Police Commissioner, Rajiv Kumar, will give the CM a guard of honour. The bureaucrats will then welcome Banerjee and the ministry will have its first meeting in the evening.

The portfolios of the ministers will also be handed over by the end of tha day. Banerjee's ministry will have 41 members.

Banerjee's Trinamool Congress came to power this year after sweeping the Assembly election by winning 211 seats.

Oneindia News