Mamata Banerjee, who spearheaded Trinamool Congress to a landslide victory in West Bengal assembly elections, was sworn in today as the state's Chief Minister for the third time in the shadow of Covid-19 and post-poll violence in parts of the state.

The 66-year-old, in her trademark white saree and shawl, took oath in Bangla at a simple ceremony with all Covid-19 protocols in place at the Raj Bhavan in central Kolkata, reports our New Delhi correspondent.

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The rest of the members of Mamata's cabinet and the council of ministers are scheduled to be sworn in on May 9.

In the election, Trinamool Congress stormed back to power with a third straight term winning 213 of 292 seats while its main rival Bharatiya Janata Party finished second with 77 seats.

After the oath-taking function, Mamata headed to her office at Nabanna in Howrah where she will be given a guard of honour by the Kolkata Police.