Delhi CM Atishi likely to take charge of office on Monday
New Delhi (PTI): Delhi Chief Minister Atishi, who took the oath of office a day ago, is likely to take charge on Monday, officials said.
She was sworn in as the eighth chief minister of Delhi on Saturday along with her cabinet. The Delhi Assembly's session will be held on September 26 and 27.
Atishi has retained the 13 portfolios she held in the Kejriwal government, including education, revenue, finance, power and PWD.
"She is likely to assume charge on Monday. The other ministers are also likely to take charge tomorrow," an official said.
Saurabh Bharadwaj, who holds eight portfolios, the highest after Atishi, took charge on Saturday itself.
New entrant Mukesh Ahlawat got the charge of the labour, SC and ST, employment and land and building departments. Gopal Rai has been given the charge of development, general administration department, environment and forest -- the portfolios he held in the Kejriwal government.
Kailash Gahlot has also retained his previous portfolios -- transport, home, administrative reforms, women and child development.
The new cabinet headed by Atishi has a long list of pending projects, schemes and new initiatives to be launched in the next few months before Delhi goes to polls in February next year.
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WB BJP chief urges state admin to act against violence perpetrators irrespective of party colours
Kolkata (PTI): A day after the BJP's sweeping victory in the West Bengal assembly polls, state party president Samik Bhattacharya on Tuesday urged the administration to act firmly against perpetrators of post-poll violence irrespective of political affiliation.
Addressing reporters after a meeting of the party's top leadership at its Bidhannagar office, Bhattacharya said strict action must be taken against those indulging in violence and warned that BJP workers found involved in such activities would be expelled from the party.
"Post-poll violence would not be tolerated in any form. If anyone from our party is found involved, we will be compelled to remove them," he said.
The BJP leader also appealed to Chief Secretary Dushyant Nariala to ensure prompt administrative intervention wherever incidents of violence are reported.
"I would like to urge the administration to take necessary action wherever such incidents occur. This is precisely why the people of West Bengal have chosen the BJP," he said.
Bhattacharya thanked the electorate for the party's emphatic mandate and expressed gratitude to migrant workers who returned to the state to cast their votes despite logistical challenges.
According to party sources, a high-level meeting was held at the BJP's Bidhannagar office on Tuesday, attended by central observers and senior state leaders, to discuss measures to prevent violence and maintain law and order in the post-result scenario.
The discussions also focused on ensuring that there is no repeat of the violence reported after the 2021 assembly elections, when the BJP had accused the ruling Trinamool Congress of targeting its workers.
The BJP has secured 207 of the 293 seats where polls were held, securing a two-thirds majority and paving the way for its first government in West Bengal. The Trinamool Congress has won 80 seats.
Bhattacharya also appealed to party workers to maintain restraint and not let the victory celebrations turn disruptive.
"I urge our workers to remain peaceful, stay happy, and fulfil the responsibilities given by the party. Do not hurt anyone in the name of celebration, and do not hurt anyone's sentiments," he said.
