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Stage set for Mamata's oath taking ceremony

Stage set for Mamata's oath taking ceremony
Kolkata, May 26 (UNI) As the list of dignitaries to attend the second swearing-in ceremony of Mamata Banerjee for another five-year term in West Bengal is expanding, the stage for the historical moment is almost ready at the iconic Red Road where some 20,000 people will witness the making of the government. Ms Banerjee, who returned to power in April-May 2016 Assembly polls for 294-seat house with a massive mandate winning 211 seats for second consecutive term after 2011, is expected to take oath around 1300 hrs to be administered by Governor Kesri Nath Tripathi tomorrow. Prime Ministers of Bangladesh and Bhutan Sheikh Hasina and Tshering Tobgay respectively have been invited besides the list of dignitaries that include chief ministers of Bihar, UP, Delhi and ex-CMs. As per information available, the Bhutanese Prime Minister is expected to land in the city by this evening. However, the Bangladesh Prime Minister will be represented by her country's Industry minister Amir Hossain Amu and the Deputy High Commissioner in Kolkata. Ms Hasina cannot make it to the city for her pre-occupation, however, would send some 20 kilos of Hilsa (fish) with her representatives as a "token of love" to the people of West Bengal. Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, his Delhi and UP counterparts Arvind Kejriwal and Akhilesh Yadav respectively, former chief ministers Lalu Prasad Yadav, Farooq Abdullah besides other high-profile politicians are expected to take part in the brief but politically significant swearing-in ceremony. Ms Banerjee almost single-handedly demolished the Left Front bastion, led by CPI(M), which had aligned with the Congress for survival in the power struggle through democratic politics. Ms Banerjee also dashed the hopes and aspirations of BJP to set up a toe-hold as the saffron force won only three seats out of 294 that it contested. Political analysts say that when the top politicians, non-Congress and non-BJP chief ministers, of the country assemble then it would be historical and politics is bound to happen. Local political leaders like Congress, CPI(M) and BJP reportedly boycotted the oath-taking ceremony as they alleged that ruling party was attacking the opposition supporters since the polls ended.While CPI(M) and Congress already announced their agitations at the Esplanade, some 1000 metres away from Red Road, BJP state president Dilip Ghosh said he would boycott the government programme tomorrow.Union Minister for Urban Development M Venkaiah Naidu is expected to attend the ceremony. Mr Ghosh, who is also elected to the assembly from Kharagpur, said it was up to the central leaders what they will do but the state committee would boycott the programme. Bollywood stars like Shah Rukh Khan, Amitabh Bachchan and others may attend the function. UNI PC AD SW SB AN1603
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