Assam government formation: Governor invites Himanta Biswa Sarma to lead next ministry
Guwahati: Assam Governor Lakshman Prasad Acharya on Sunday formally requested Chief Minister-elect Himanta Biswa Sarma to establish the state’s next administration, according to an official announcement from the executive mansion.
The invitation followed a meeting at Lok Bhavan, where representatives of the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) presented their claim to govern, nominating Sarma to lead the ministry.
"The Governor has invited Dr Himanta Biswa Sarma to form the new Government in Assam," Lok Bhavan confirmed in the statement.
The Governor is scheduled to preside over the swearing-in ceremony on May 12, administering the oaths of office and secrecy to Sarma and his Council of Ministers. The high-profile event is expected to draw a contingent of top federal officials, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union Home Minister Amit Shah, and Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, alongside BJP president Nitin Nabin and other prominent dignitaries.
Historical Milestone
The upcoming inauguration marks the third straight term for the NDA in Assam, continuing a streak that began in 2016 when the BJP-led coalition first assumed power under Sarbananda Sonowal.
Sarma, who began his initial tenure as Chief Minister in 2021, is poised to achieve a historical first: he will be the state’s only non-Congress leader to serve back-to-back terms in the office.
Electoral Mandate
The coalition enters this new term with a commanding legislative advantage. In the recent Assembly elections, the NDA secured a two-thirds majority by capturing a record 102 seats in the 126-member chamber. The individual party tallies are as follows:
- Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP): 82 seats
- Asom Gana Parishad (AGP): 10 seats
- Bodoland People's Front (BPF): 10 seats
This decisive victory reinforces Sarma’s leadership as he prepares to head the first repeat non-Congress administration in the history of the northeastern state.
With inputs from PTI