Kolkata: Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee was sworn in Chief Minister of West Bengal's seventh consecutive Left Front Government here on Thursday. Forty-three of his colleagues in the new Ministry were also administered the oath of office by Governor Gopalkrishna Gandhi. Over a third of the Ministers who took the oath at a glittering ceremony on the lawns of the Raj Bhavan were new faces.

In the audience were top industrialists, representatives of major corporate houses, senior politicians and eminent personalities from different walks of life.

Later, at a function organised by the State Government Employees' Co-ordination Committee where he was felicitated by different employees' organisations outside the State Secretariat, Mr. Bhattacharjee said the only way to honour the massive mandate given to the Left Front was "to complete the tasks that had remained unfinished [by the last Government] ... Only then will we be able to live up to the faith the people have reposed in us." he added.

Commitment

The Chief Minister called for a "totally corruption-free" new administration, which "would be sensitive to the needs of the people, remain committed and responsible" and one with a heightened "work culture."

"We might not be able to solve some of the problems the people face but let us at least be responsive so that they can think the Government is a friend ... What is a Government if it is disrespectful towards the people," he asked.

While consolidating on the successes in agriculture, the new Government would be working towards greater industrialisation, which would lead to an increase in job opportunities. "There is need for capital — both foreign and domestic — for growth and employment. Our main concern will be increasing the people's purchasing power," Mr. Bhattacharjee said.

PHOTO: ARUNANGSU ROY CHOWDHURY

BACK IN OFFICE: West Bengal Governor Gopalkrishna Gandhi greets Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee after he was sworn in Chief Minister at a ceremony in Kolkata on Thursday. Mr. Bhattacharjee heads a twotier 44-member team, the seventh consecutive Left Front Ministry in the State. Addressing a felicitation function, the Chief Minister made a strong pitch for capital inflow in the State.

To continue struggle

The Government would continue its struggle to improve the lot of the poor and safeguard the interests of the worker. "We will not in any way allow the hire-and-fire policy of corporate bodies," he said.

Mr. Bhattacharjee warned against the designs of "United States imperialism" and the increasing "pressure of that country on India."

"There is talk of a strategic partnership [with the U.S.], which we oppose totally. In the face of such pressure we have to protect our economic integrity and national sovereignty," he said adding that the increase in the strength of the Left parties in Kerala and West Bengal was a sign of resistance to such pressure from the outside.

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