Assam Governor Lakshman Prasad Acharya has invited Chief Minister-elect Himanta Biswa Sarma to form a new government in the state, paving the way for the NDA’s third consecutive term in Assam. After being unanimously elected leader of the BJP-led NDA’s legislature party, Mr Sarma, along with alliance leaders, met the governor at Lok Bhavan and formally staked claim to form the government.
Mr Acharya will administer the oath of office and secrecy to Mr Sarma and members of the new Council of Ministers tomorrow. 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.
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 AGP and BPF won 10 seats each.
Mr 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.
AGP chief Atul Bora and BPF leader Rihon Daimari also submitted letters of support to the governor.
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 JP Nadda and Haryana CM Nayab Singh Saini, who were appointed the BJP’s central observer and co-observer, accompanied Mr Sarma and other alliance leaders to Lok Bhavan. Speaking to reporters, Mr 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.
