Councillor Dr Rohit Kumar Dasgupta was elected as the new chair of Newham Council following a vote at a full council meeting in May.
He takes over from Cllr Rohima Rahman, who held the position as the borough’s First Citizen between 2023 and 2025.
Councillor Dasgupta, originally from Kolkata, India, is 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 Newham Council.
Dasgupta was re-elected in May 2022, and since then has worked on the borough’s social integration strategy.
His appointment makes him the first individual of Indian Bengali origin and queer-identifying 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.
He added 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.
