Kolkata, 13 May (H.S.) : The first day of the oath-taking ceremony of newly elected West Bengal MLAs on Wednesday witnessed a series of unusual and symbolic events, including a puja performed within the Assembly premises and a state-sponsored fish meal arranged for the legislators.

These cultural and ceremonial elements added a distinctive tone to the proceedings, while also being viewed in political circles as carrying subtle ideological undertones in response to pre-election opposition concerns over possible restrictions on non-vegetarian food habits under the ruling dispensation.

A total of 144 MLAs of the 294-member West Bengal Assembly took oath on the first day of the two-day ceremony, which also included Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari. The oath was administered by Protem Speaker Tapas Roy.

The remaining legislators are scheduled to take oath on the second day of the programme.

The ceremony included representatives from multiple districts across the state and proceeded in a peaceful manner inside the Assembly premises.

The day’s proceedings combined formal legislative rituals with cultural observances, making the inaugural session of the newly constituted House notably distinctive.

Hindusthan Samachar / Satya Prakash Singh