A rare display of political courtesy took center stage at the Lok Bhavan in Kolkata on Thursday during the swearing-in ceremony of West Bengal’s new Governor, R.N. Ravi. While the atmosphere was formal, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee caught everyone’s attention with a heartfelt gesture towards veteran CPI(M) leader Biman Basu.

At around 11:30 AM, Chief Justice of Calcutta High Court, Sujoy Pal, administered the oath of office to R.N. Ravi. As the event began, CM Mamata Banerjee spotted Biman Basu, who was seated in the third row. Setting aside political differences, the Chief Minister walked over to the senior leader and personally invited him to the front row. “Biman-da, why are you sitting in the back? Please, come to the front,” she said, ensuring he had a prominent seat.

This is not the first time Mamata Banerjee has demonstrated such respect for the veteran leader in public. Her gesture of walking over and escorting him to a better position was widely appreciated by those present. The ceremony was also attended by Assembly Speaker Biman Banerjee, Chief Secretary Nandini Chakraborty, and other top administrative officials. R.N. Ravi, the former Governor of Tamil Nadu, arrived in Kolkata on Wednesday evening to take charge of his new constitutional responsibility.