Cooch Behar, May 14 -- Senior BJP leader and first-time MLA Rathindra Bose has been nominated as the party's candidate for the post of Speaker of the West Bengal Legislative Assembly. The announcement was made on Thursday by the Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari.

If elected, Bose, the BJP MLA from Cooch Behar South Assembly Constituency, will become the first representative from North Bengal to hold the prestigious position of Speaker in the West Bengal Assembly.

The development has sparked celebrations across Cooch Behar district.

A resident of the Devibari area in Ward No. 19 of Cooch Behar town, Rathindra Bose completed his schooling at Rambhola High School before moving to Siliguri for his professional career as a chartered accountant.

Reacting emotionally to the announcement, his mother Chhaya Bose said she had always wished to see her son work for the people and earn their respect. "Since childhood, he was calm, disciplined and brilliant in studies. He was never involved in any unrest," she said.

Political observers believe the move carries significance amid longstanding allegations that North Bengal has remained deprived in terms of political representation and administrative importance. Many see Bose's nomination as an attempt to address that imbalance.

Rajbanshi leader Banshibadan Barman said the decision reflected recognition of North Bengal's contribution and proved that an educated and qualified leader from Cooch Behar could rise to one of the highest constitutional posts in the state Assembly.

Cooch Behar district BJP president Abhijit Barman welcomed the decision, calling it a proud moment for the people of North Bengal.

Meanwhile, despite political differences, Trinamool Congress spokesperson Partha Pratim Roy congratulated Bose on social media, describing the development as a matter of pride for the people of Cooch Behar.

Former president of the Cooch Behar District Businessmen's Association, Motilal Jain, also termed the development a "moment of pride" for the district.

Published by HT Digital Content Services with permission from Millennium Post.