Kolkata: Newly elected TMC legislator Babul Supriyo was Wednesday sworn in as MLA of the West Bengal assembly, ending weeks of uncertainty over who would administer oath, after Governor Jagdeep Dhankhar insisted that he would not change his decision of nominating the deputy speaker for the job. The singer-turned politician, who was last month elected MLA from the Ballygunge assembly constituency, was sworn in by Deputy Speaker Asish Banerjee.
"It feels great to be part of the historic West Bengal assembly. This is going to be a new experience," Supriyo said. Though Supriyo, who quit his job as a central minister and the BJP, was elected on April 16, confusion prevailed over his oath-taking ceremony. Usually, the speaker is nominated by the governor to swear in a new member of the assembly. However, Dhankhar had decided to name the deputy speaker for the job, and despite repeated pleas by Surpiyo seeking permission for the speaker to administer the oath to him, the Governor had decided to stick to his decision.
The by-election to the Ballygunge assembly seat was held on April 12, and the result was declared on April 16. After giving up his Lok Sabha membership, which he had bagged on a BJP ticket, Supriyo was nominated by the ruling TMC for the Ballygunge assembly seat.
Also read: Babul Supriyo wins Ballygunge by-poll, says West Bengal is with 'Didi'
PTI
