In a recent development, Trinamool Congress leaders Sayantika Banerjee and Rayat Hussain were invited to take their oaths at the Raj Bhavan following their victory in the assembly polls from the Baranagar and Bhagbangola constituencies, respectively. However, the newly-elected MLAs did not attend the scheduled ceremony on Wednesday due to their request to change the oath-taking location to the West Bengal Assembly being denied.
Sayantika Banerjee, who transitioned from acting to politics, had written to West Bengal Governor CV Ananda Bose, stating her preference to take the oath in the presence of Assembly Speaker Biman Bandyopadhyay. She emphasized her intention to ensure the remaining 1.5 years of the term were utilized effectively, suggesting that the Governor preside over the ceremony at the Assembly instead.
Governor Bose responded to Sayantika with a detailed three-page letter, urging her to attend the oath-taking at the Raj Bhavan. He cited a Supreme Court verdict on the matter and referenced historical instances where other MLAs, including the Chief Minister, had taken their oaths at the Raj Bhavan. Despite his efforts, neither Sayantika Banerjee nor Rayat Hussain attended the ceremony.
The Governor, having waited until 3:30 pm on Wednesday, eventually left for Delhi without the oaths being administered. The situation highlights the ongoing friction between the West Bengal government and the Raj Bhavan, reflecting broader political tensions in the state.
