Thaindian News

Kolkata, May 19 (IANS) Elaborate security arrangements are in place at Raj Bhavan, where Trinamool Congress chief Mamata Banerjee will be sworn-in as West Bengal’s first woman chief minister Friday, with the who’s who of politics, business, art and culture in attendance.

“We have deployed Quick Response Teams (QRT) under the leadership of senior deputy commissioners in and outside the Raj Bhavan compound and in front of Writers’ Buildings,” Joint Commissioner (headquarters) Jawed Shamim said.

Special arrangements have been made to sanitize a two-km radius around Raj Bhavan, Shahid Minar and the state secretariat Writers’ Buildings.

Banerjee, the eighth chief minister of the state overall, will be administered the oath of office and secrecy by governor M.K. Narayanan.

A staggering 3,200 people have been invited to the occasion.

The guest list also includes former chief minister Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee and Left front chairman Biman Bose.

Senior Trinamool leader Partha Chatterjee went to Bhattacharjee’s residence Thursday to personally invite him for the swearing-in.

The invitation list also includes industrialists G.P. Goenka, S.K. Birla, Deepak Khaitan and Pawan Ruia, among others.

The ceremony will commence at 12.55 p.m. with the rendition of the national anthem. At 1.01 p.m. sharp, Banerjee will be administered the oath by the governor, followed by other legislators. The event will last for around one hour and 15 minutes.

Banerjee had wished for the ceremony to be staged at the Brigade Parade Ground so that all her supporters could be part of the occasion, but her proposal was turned down due to security concerns.

Four giant screens have been put up at the Shahid Minaar for people to witness the event.

Banerjee has also requested that Rabindra Sangeet be played during the occasion.