Kolkata, 15 May (H.S.) : Rathindra Bose was on Friday elected unopposed as the new Speaker of the West Bengal Legislative Assembly. Bose, a first-time Bharatiya Janata Party legislator from the Cooch Behar South Assembly constituency, assumed the post following proceedings conducted under the supervision of Protem Speaker Tapas Roy.

The proposal for Bose’s appointment as Speaker was moved by Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari and supported by senior BJP leader Dilip Ghosh. Bose was declared elected through a voice vote. The Assembly session began with the singing of ‘Vande Mataram’.

Although Trinamool Congress legislators were absent during the Speaker election process, they later joined the proceedings. After receiving the support of Assembly members, Bose was escorted to the Speaker’s chair by Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari and Leader of the Opposition Shovandeb Chattopadhyay. The Trinamool Congress did not oppose his election. Former Assembly Speaker Biman Banerjee also congratulated Bose on his appointment.

Following Assembly convention, the new Speaker first invited the Chief Minister to address the House. Welcoming Bose, Adhikari expressed hope that the Assembly would function constructively over the next five years and fulfil the expectations of the people of the state. He also said that the opposition would be given adequate opportunity to present its views and appealed for smooth functioning of the House.

After the Chief Minister’s speech, Leader of the Opposition Shovandeb Chattopadhyay also extended his greetings to the new Speaker. Legislators from various parties later addressed the Assembly. Nawsad Siddique and Mostafizur Rahman Rana also congratulated Bose.

A chartered accountant by profession, Rathindra Bose had long been associated with the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh before entering active politics. In the 2026 Assembly elections, he defeated Trinamool Congress candidate Abhijit Dey Bhowmik from the Cooch Behar South constituency by more than 23,000 votes.

Political parties traditionally nominate individuals with legal or judicial backgrounds for the Speaker’s post. By selecting Bose, the BJP departed from that convention. With his unanimous election, Bose has now formally taken charge as the new Speaker of the West Bengal Assembly.

Hindusthan Samachar / Satya Prakash Singh