GUWAHATI, MAY 12 (PTI): Himanta Biswa Sarma was on Tuesday sworn in as the chief minister of Assam for a second consecutive term, marking the formation of the third straight BJP-led NDA government in the northeastern state.
Governor Lakshman Prasad Acharya administered the oath of office and secrecy to Sarma and four ministers at a grand ceremony held at the Veterinary Ground in Khanapara, Guwahati.
The four legislators who took oath as ministers were BJP leaders Rameshwar Teli and Ajanta Neog, Asom Gana Parishad president Atul Bora and Bodoland People’s Front MLA Charan Boro.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union ministers Amit Shah, Rajnath Singh, Nitin Gadkari, Sarbananda Sonowal and Pabitra Margherita, BJP president Nitin Nabin, chief ministers and deputy chief ministers of BJP-ruled states, besides NDA leaders from across the region, attended the ceremony. Nagaland chief minister Neiphiu Rio and deputy chief ministers– T.R. Zeliang and Y Patton were also present.
Sarma, dressed in dhoti-kurta with a traditional gamosa around his neck, took oath in Assamese. Teli, Bora and Neog also took oath in Assamese, while Boro took oath in Bodo.
After the ceremony, Modi congratulated the chief minister and ministers before greeting supporters and leaders present at the venue.
“With the blessings of Maa Kamakhya, Mahapurush Srimanta Sankardev and the people of Assam, I took oath as the chief minister. Along with the council of ministers, we look forward to serving our people and continue to fulfil all their aspirations,” Sarma posted on X.
In another post, Sarma described the occasion as an emotional moment and reaffirmed his commitment towards building a “Viksit Assam”.
Neog, Bora and Boro were members of Sarma’s previous cabinet, while former Union minister Teli returned to state politics. Neog earlier held the finance portfolio, Bora handled agriculture and Boro served as transport minister.
The NDA secured a record 102 seats in the 126-member Assam Assembly. BJP won 82 seats, while allies AGP and BPF secured 10 seats each.
Sarma also thanked Modi, Shah, Nabin and BJP workers across Assam for the NDA’s landslide victory, stating that the government would continue working to fulfil the aspirations of the people.
He also said the new government would focus on development, welfare measures, infrastructure expansion and peace initiatives, while maintaining continuity in governance and implementing promises made during the Assembly election campaign across the state.
