Bhattacharjee to be WB deputy CM

CALCUTTA, Nov 26 (PTI,UNI) — Ending a week-long speculation, West Bengal Home (Police) Minister Buddhadev Bhattacharjee was today elevated to the newly-created post of Deputy Chief Minister to assist Chief Minister Jyoti Basu even as the Left Front constituents demanded the formation of a core-committee to monitor the work of various departments of the government.

The decision to create the post of Deputy Chief Minister was taken by the CPM politburo recently to relieve the octogenarian Chief Minister of some of his responsibilities. Mr Basu earlier wanted to step down from his post on health grounds, but yielded to the politburo’s request to continue.

Briefing newsmen after the crucial meeting of the Left Front, preceded by the state secretariat meeting of CPM, party politburo member Biman Bose said Mr Bhattacharjee’s name was proposed by Mr Basu himself.

He said Mr Basu apprised the Front leaders of his health and said he could attend his office in the state secretariat only in the first half.

Stating that he needed a deputy, Mr Basu requested the Front leaders to accept Mr Bhattacharjee’s name for the post. Subsequently, his name was "unanimously" accepted by them, he said.

Talking to reporters, RSP leader Debabrata Banerjee said his party had accepted Mr Bhattacharjee as Deputy Chief Minister considering the health of Mr Basu.

Mr Bose said it was yet to be decided when Mr Bhattacharjee would take oath of office.