Himanta Biswa Sarma is poised to lead Assam for a second term as Chief Minister, following the NDA's decisive victory in the recent assembly elections, signalling continued political stability and development in the region.
Key Points
- Himanta Biswa Sarma is set to become Assam's Chief Minister for a second consecutive term, leading the NDA government.
- The NDA secured a significant victory in the Assam Assembly elections, winning 102 seats.
- The swearing-in ceremony for Sarma and his Council of Ministers is scheduled for May 12.
- Key national leaders, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Amit Shah, are expected to attend the swearing-in ceremony.
- The BJP-led NDA's victory reflects public endorsement of PM Modi's development policies in Assam.
Assam Governor Lakshman Prasad Acharya on Sunday invited Chief Minister-elect Himanta Biswa Sarma to form the next government, paving the way for the National Democratic Alliance's third consecutive term in Assam.
After being unanimously elected leader of the Bharatiya Janata Party-led NDA's legislature party, Sarma, along with alliance leaders, met the Governor at Lok Bhavan and formally staked claim to form the government.
"The Governor has invited Dr Himanta Biswa Sarma to form the new government in Assam," a statement from Lok Bhavan said.
Acharya will administer the oath of office and secrecy to Sarma and members of the new Council of Ministers on May 12.
The swearing-in ceremony will be held at the Veterinary College Playground in Khanapara and is expected to be attended by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union Home Minister Amit Shah, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and BJP president Nitin Nabin, among others.
NDA's Victory and Government Formation in Assam
The NDA, comprising the BJP, Asom Gana Parishad (AGP) and Bodoland People's Front (BPF), secured a sweeping mandate in the assembly polls, winning 102 seats in the 126-member House.
The BJP bagged 82 seats, while the AGP and the BPF won 10 seats each.
Sarma, who first became chief minister in 2021, is set to become the first non-Congress leader in Assam to serve two consecutive terms as CM.
"I have been elected as the BJP's legislative party leader. The NDA parties, BPF and AGP, also elected me as their leader," he said, while reading out the letter submitted to the governor.
"I have the support of 102 MLAs of the NDA. I have the signature of all of them," he added.
AGP chief Atul Bora and BPF leader Rihon Daimari also submitted letters of support to the governor.
Implications of the NDA's Third Term
This will be the NDA's third consecutive term in the state since the BJP-led alliance first came to power in 2016 under then CM Sarbananda Sonowal.
Union minister J P Nadda and Haryana CM Nayab Singh Saini, who were appointed the BJP's central observer and co-observer, accompanied Sarma and other alliance leaders to Lok Bhavan.
Speaking to reporters, Nadda said the election result reflected public endorsement of PM Modi's development policies.
He also praised the Sarma government for implementing central welfare schemes effectively in Assam.
"In the next five years, the PM will introduce various schemes, which will be implemented in Assam by Himanta Biswa Sarma. We will have a government which is proactive, responsive, accountable and report card-driven," he added.
Sarma's Election as Legislature Party Leader
Earlier in the day, Sarma was elected the leader of the BJP legislature party, in the presence of Nadda and Saini.
Eight party MLAs, including Ranjeet Kumar Dass, Ajanta Neog, Ashok Singhal and Pijush Hazarika, proposed Sarma's name as their leader, which was unanimously accepted.
Addressing the meeting, Sarma thanked the people for the mandate and said the new government would work with greater vigour for the welfare and development of all sections of society.
"This is a proud moment for the BJP-led NDA after the historic mandate, which was a support of our previous government's good work and the commitment of PM Modi for Assam's development," he said.
