MLAs ride scooters, cycles to oath ceremony to push austerity message

Kolkata: Scooters, bicycles, buses and suburban trains replaced the usual procession of SUVs and flashing beacons outside the Bengal Assembly on Thursday as a number of BJP lawmakers turned the second day of the oath-taking ceremony into a carefully crafted message on austerity and fuel conservation.Among striking arrivals was that of newly elected Shyampukur MLA Purnima Chakraborty, who rode into the assembly premises on a scooter instead of an official convoy. Clad in a simple saree and donning a helmet, Chakraborty said the gesture was inspired by PM Narendra Modi's appeal to reduce fuel consumption amid global uncertainty triggered by the volatile situation in West Asia.Calling it one of the most significant days of her political life, Chakraborty added: "The trust and confidence that the people have shown in us is something we are committed to honouring. We want to take Bengal forward, and in that, the people of Shyampukur constituency will play their full role."If Chakraborty's scooter drew attention, Haldia BJP MLA Pradip Bijli's bicycle ride turned heads across the assembly compound. Bijli cycled from the MLA hostel to Vidhan Sabha early in the morning, surprising security personnel, party workers and pedestrians alike."Both the Prime Minister and the CM have reduced their convoys by half, keeping in mind the fuel crisis in India. I am also an MLA, so I travelled from the assembly hostel to the assembly on a bicycle. I am a small man. This is a small attempt from my side," Bijli said.Bishnupur MLA Shukla Chatterjee chose perhaps the most ordinary route of all. She travelled by train from Bishnupur to Kolkata, stayed overnight at her sister's home in Jadavpur and boarded a public bus to reach the assembly on Thursday morning."I am used to travelling in public transport. Even after becoming an MLA, I will not shun that habit," she said.Thursday marked the second phase of the oath-taking ceremony, with Protem Speaker Tapas Roy administering the oath to 137 MLAs.