NEW DELHI: He may be designated junior minister in the urban development ministry, but Babul Supriyo is now Bengal's sole representative in Modi's 66-member ministry. Bengal elected two BJP MPs in the last elections and recorded a jump in vote share to 17% from 6%.

He seemed aware of the political purpose behind his appointment. He also spoke to his predecessors in the ministries he has been deputed to. Both are from Bengal - TMC's Saugata Roy and Congress's Deepa Dasmunsi .

Supriyo said he'd like to be the bridge between Centre and his home state.

He'll continue to be a singer.

The PM, he said, had permitted him to be that way as his basic identity was that of a singer. But as a minister he'd abide by the norms of public conduct.

