Known for his pro-Hindutva views, Thatagata Roy was today sworn-in as the Governor of Left-ruled Tripura.
Roy, 69, was administered the oath of office and secrecy by Chief Justice of Tripura High Court Deepak Gupta at a simple ceremony in the presence of Chief Minister Manik Sarkar, his cabinet colleagues and senior officials.
He was BJP's West Bengal unit president from 2002 to 2006 and had twice unsuccessfully contested Lok Sabha elections on party ticket.
Speaking to journalists after taking oath, Roy said he will not allow his personal views to come in the way of discharging his official duties as Governor and that he will leave "no room for political affinity".
Soon after his appointment was announced, Roy had tweeted, "Thanks to all twipple who congratulated me. Please appreciate that I can't reply individually. And, alas, no more political tweets."
Asked about his pro-Hinutva views, he had said, "That was a different person, a political person, I said things which my politics dictated, my beliefs dictated. I don' regret them. But after becoming Governor, I have constitutional duties."
"Like parentage, I cannot change my beliefs, but it will not have any part to play in the duties that I perform," he had said.
The Governor said he has a soft corner for the state and Bangladesh that surrounds it on three sides as his forefathers had migrated from erstwhile East Pakistan.
Roy said he was delighted that during the forthcoming visit by Prime Minister Narendra Modi to Bangladesh a direct bus service from Kolkata to Agartala via Bangladesh would be flagged off.
"It would be a great relief for the people living in the north east, especially Tripura because it would give a passage to go to the people to other parts of the country. It is difficult for the poor to take flights to go to Kolkata," he said.
Roy, a former engineer who served the Railways, said the 15 km long Agartala-Akhaura rail link would connect Indian Railways with Bangladesh Railways in the north east.
"The ongoing project is very important for the people of the north east. If the Tripura government wants I will take up the matter with the central government," he said.
