Two new ministers inducted in Mamata government

Two new ministers including a woman from Trinamool Congress were on Monday inducted in her ministry by West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee in a minor expansion of her nine-month old government.

MLA from Tollygunj Arup Biswas and his colleague from North Dum Dum Chandrima Bhattacharya were sworn-in as ministers of state in a ceremony at Raj Bhavan which was open only to print photographers and electronic media cameramen.

Speaker Biman Bandopadhyay and a number of Banerjee's ministerial colleagues were present at the swearing-in, but Leader of the Opposition Surjya Kanta Mishra was conspicuous by his absence.

Asked whether he was invited to the swearing-in, Mishra said, "I received the invitation only around 3.30 p.M. But I am not complaining. However, there is a saying among village folk that invitations can be sent in a manner where the invitee does not feel encouraged to attend."

Later, asked to comment on her new role, Bhattacharya, a lawyer said, "it is certainly a big responsibility. I am grateful to Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee for considering me eligible for ministerial responsibility."

Recalling Banerjee's promise of doing in five years what the erstwhile Left Front government had not been able to achieve in 35 years, Biswas said, "I am a loyal soldier of the Trinamool Congress. I will work with honesty and sincerity to work for the people in turning Mamata Banerjee's dream of a new Bengal into reality."