Mamata Banerjee Swearing-in Ceremony Highlights: TMC supremo takes oath as West Bengal CM, PM Modi congratulates

Mamata Banerjee Swearing-in Ceremony: It will be a low-key programme given the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. (File image)

After spearheading the Trinamool Congress to a remarkable victory in the West Bengal assembly polls, party supremo Mamata Banerjee sworn-in as the chief minister for the third consecutive term at Raj Bhavan on May 5. Governor Jagdeep Dhankhar administered her the oath of office and secrecy at a low-key ceremony held amid the raging COVID pandemic. Banerjee took the oath in the Bengali language.

Chief ministers of other states and leaders of other political parties have not been invited for the programme keeping in mind the current COVID-19 situation in the country, reported news agency PTI citing a government official.

Trinamool Congress MP Abhishek Banerjee and poll strategist Prashant Kishor were present at the ceremony.

Chief ministers of other states and leaders of other political parties have not been invited to the programme keeping in mind the current COVID-19 situation in the country.

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.

10.30 am: Bengal's administrative machinery was under Election Commission, now we will tackle disturbances, Banerjee said on political violence in the state.

10.20 am: Prime Minister Narendra Modi congratulated Mamata Banerjee on taking oath as Chief Minister of West Bengal on Twitter. "Congratulations to Mamata Didi on taking oath as West Bengal’s Chief Minister," he tweeted.

10.59 am: First priority after resuming office will be to tackle the COVID-19 situation, says Mamata Banerjee.

10.55 am: I request all parties to not engage in any kind of violence. I will be taking charge of law and order right away, says Mamata Banerjee after swearing-in as Chief Minister of West Bengal for the third time.

10.45 am: Mamata Banerjee takes oath as West Bengal Chief Minister for the third term.

10.20 am: Mamata Banerjee arrives at the Raj Bhavan in Kolkata. She will take oath as the Chief Minister of the state for her third consecutive term, shortly.

10.05 am: Earlier, Banerjee said she did not get the customary call from Prime Minister Narendra Modi on her victory in the elections. "This is the first time I saw a prime minister not calling. It is ok, he may be busy. I did not take it in sentiment," she said.

9.45 am: Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee called on me and submitted her resignation as CM and the same has been accepted. She has been requested to continue till alternative arrangements are made, Bengal Governor JagdeepnDhankhar tweeted after Banerjee tendered her resignation on May 3.

Taking note of communication @AITCofficial electing @MamataOfficial as leader of 17th WB Legislative Assembly have invited her to take oath of office of Chief Minister on May 5 at 10.45 am at Raj Bhawan.

In view of current Covid situation function will be with limited audience. pic.twitter.com/OuvzI46oLd

— Governor West Bengal Jagdeep Dhankhar (@jdhankhar1) May 3, 2021

9.15 am: Soon after taking the oath, Banerjee will go to West Bengal secretariat 'Nabanna' where she will be given 'guard of honour' by Kolkata Police, according to PTI sources.

8.55 am: Invitations for the programme have been sent to Banerjee's predecessor Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee, leader of Opposition of the outgoing House Abdul Mannan and CPI(M) veteran leader Biman Bose.