Councillor Dr Rohit Kumar Dasgupta has been elected as the new Chair of Newham Council following a vote at Full Council last week.
He takes over from Councillor Rohima Rahman, who held the position as the borough’s First Citizen between 2023 – 2025.
Councillor Dasgupta, originally from Kolkata, India, is currently an Associate Professor in Gender Studies at the London School of Economics and Political Science and an Honorary Senior Research Fellow at the University of Glasgow.
He has represented Canning Town South Ward since 2018, when he was first elected to the Council.
He was re-elected in May 2022. Since then he has worked on the borough’s Social Integration Strategy.
His appointment makes him the first individual of Indian Bengali origin and queer identified to be elected Chair and First Citizen of Newham Council.
Speaking at his inauguration he said he was “deeply aware of the significance and responsibility” that the role carried. Adding that while he would uphold the non-political nature of the position he would also “speak from the heart.”
He said: “Newham has been my home for over a decade and like so many who have contributed to the richness of this borough, I was embraced by its diversity, warmth, and incredible sense of community.
“I am proud that Newham has never shied away from declaring loudly and clearly that no matter your faith, your sexuality, your gender identity, or ethnicity, you are welcome here. That spirit of inclusion is one that I will carry forward with pride as your First Citizen.”
Councillor Imam Haque was elected Vice Chair of the Council.
