Kolkata, May 21: Mamata Banerjee, who took over as the new West Bengal Chief Minister on Friday said she would not use a bullet-proof car.
"I will not take a bullet-proof car. I don't want a bullet-proof car. I don't have any vehicle on my own. I use the car provided by a party colleague. I will continue to use it," Banerjee told reporters at her maiden press conference at the Writer's Buildings.
"I am for the people and I will not do anything to be alienated from them," she said.
Asked about the security protocol, Banerjee replied "those who are looking after security, it is for them to see. It is a technical matter."
Banerjee defended the large size of her ministry saying it reflected representation of all districts.
On being reminded that she had earlier spoken about a small ministry, Banerjee said, "We had to give representations to all districts, the minorities and schedule castes and schedule tribes."
She said that another six ministers would join. "Of them the Congress will give the names of five."
Along with her, 37 MLAs -- 35 from Trinamool Congress and 2 from ally Congress -- took oath as ministers of the two-tier ministry. Four Trinamool Congress MLAs were sworn in as Ministers of State.
The erstwhile Left Front government had 44 ministers.
Told that she had faced assaults in the past, Banerjee replied, "I have been beaten up a number of times. I have suffered a lot of atrocities, but I choose not to remember them. I want to work for the people, which is my priority."
Trinamool Congress workers and supporters sang Rabindrasangeet outside Writers' Buildings as new Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee entered the historic building to formally take charge of the state administration.
They waited patiently outside the state secretariat till late at night to greet the new chief minister with bouquets in hand.
Tagore songs were played all over the metropolis to celebrate the swearing-in of the Mamata Banerjee ministry, ending the 34-year-old Left Front rule in the state.
Crowd assembled in several parts of the city to witness the swearing-in ceremony telecast live on giant screens.
Party supporters burst crackers while large cutouts of Banerjee were put up in many busy intersections along with illumination. PTI
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