Heeding PM’s call, MLAs take buses to assembly to take oath

Kolkata: Emphasising on austerity, several Bengal MLAs travelled by buses to the state assembly on Wednesday to take oath of office even as chief minister Suvendu Adhikari said he asked DGP S N Gupta to cut down on the number of vehicles in his convoy. The party has also advised MLAs and ministers to use fewer vehicles.A touch of Bengali culture was also evident, with the pro-tem speaker, Tapas Roy, inviting MLAs for a machh-bhaat (fish-and-rice) meal. "There is an arrangement for lunch with fish and rice for all," Roy told the members. Earlier on Monday, Adhikari offered fish fry as a snack to BJP legislators at the assembly.Adhikari, who took oath as the Bhowanipore MLA on Wednesday at the West Bengal Legislative Assembly, said he asked DGP Gupta to reduce the size of his convoy, following the decision taken by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and several other chief ministers of BJP-governed states. "The Prime Minister's decision to save fuel is a welcome step. He has done this, keeping the welfare of the people in mind. When he took up the Swachch Bharat Abhiyan, people became aware of their duty as citizens. I have asked the DGP to tell the director of security to keep minimum security cover for me. People should appreciate the cause," the chief minister said.Adhikari also directed top bureaucrats to eliminate wasteful expenditure and ease out pressure on the state's exchequer. The administration will now promote restrained fuel usage and encourage adoption of energy-saving measures in alignment with central govt guidelines. "People who drive cars should start using public transport at least once a week. The Prime Minister has raised a concern and people have to think about it," said municipal affairs minister Agnimitra Paul.Claiming that she was ready to use public transport, like buses, Paul said, "I will also start using public transport. The crisis is deeper and we will have to think about it," she said.Both Paul and Adhikari took oaths on Wednesday. Adhikari performed a full prostration bow (dandwat pranam) right on the steps of the assembly building to show respect to the ‘floor of democracy' at the very entrance to the assembly. He arrived to loud cheers, offered floral tribute in front of the statue of B R Ambedkar and performed puja inside his chamber. Around 80 MLAs, mainly legislators from north Bengal and Murshidabad, took oath in the first phase. In the second phase, MLAs from Nadia, North 24 Parganas and South 24 Parganas took oath during the session.Altogether, 144 MLAs took oath on the first day of the swearing-in ceremony at the West Bengal Assembly on Wednesday. Pro tem speaker Tapas Roy said the remaining 146 newly elected legislators would take their oath of office on Thursday. "On Wednesday, 150 MLAs were scheduled to take oath, but six did not turn up, citing various reasons," Roy told reporters. MLAs from 12 districts, including nine districts of north Bengal and Murshidabad, took their oath.