Trinamool Congress Supremo Mamata Banerjee has taken oath as the Chief Minister of West Bengal for the third consecutive time at Raj Bhavan in Kolkata on Wednesday. Mamata took the oath in the presence of West Bengal Governor Jagdeep Dhankhar.
The Governor congratulated Mamata on becoming the Chief Minister for the third time. ”I, congratulate Mamata ji on her third term. Our priority is that we must bring an end to this senseless violence that has affected society at large. I have every hope that the CM will take all steps to restore rule of law,” Governor Dhankhar said following the oath-taking ceremony.
Mamata also informed that she will take care of the law and order situation in West Bengal. “I have just assumed office, will take care of law and situation here on. Will not tolerate any violence or nonsense in the state. We want peace,” Mamata said. The CM’s statement comes at a time when as many as 12 people were killed in post-poll violence.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi and several top politicians across the country congratulated Mamata on taking oath as the Chief Minister.
Meanwhile, BJP national president JP Nadda, who is in West Bengal following the post-poll violence, said that BJP will dismantle political violence in West Bengal. “Those who were supposed to protect others are responsible for this violence. They can take an oath, everyone has the right to do that in a democracy. But we are also taking an oath that we will dismantle political violence in Bengal,” he said.
Nadda said that the BJP takes an oath that they would carry out their responsibility by happily accepting the mandate and playing an important role of the Opposition. “What we fought in Bengal – political violence, appeasement and tyranny – we won't step back from carrying out our duties,” he added. Many BJP leaders across the country and workers also joined the BJP dharna against the post-poll violence in West Bengal.
Before Mamata Banerjee was to take the oath as Chief Minister, there were rumours that the President’s rule could be imposed in West Bengal following the post-poll violence. Reportedly, Mamata smelt the President’s rule in Bengal after PM Modi dialled WB Governor Dhankhar and expressed his anguish over the political violence in West Bengal. Dhankhar confirmed the same in a tweet. “PM called and expressed his serious anguish and concern at the alarmingly worrisome law and order situation. I share grave concerns given that violence, vandalism, arson, loot and killings continue unabated. Concerned must act in overdrive to restore order,” Dhankhar tweeted.
Meanwhile, many senior BJP leaders were not happy with Mamata Banerjee taking oath as Chief Minister of West Bengal. They questioned how Mamata could become CM when she lost her seat in Nandigram and the post-poll violence that followed after TMC won the Bengal elections.