GUWAHATI, MAY 10 (AGENCIES): Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Himanta Biswa Sarma on Sunday staked claim to form the next government in Assam after being unanimously elected leader of the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) Legislature Party.
Sarma met Assam Governor Lakshman Prasad Acharya after the NDA meeting, paving the way for him to begin a second consecutive term as chief minister. The swearing-in ceremony of the new Council of Ministers is scheduled for May 12.
The NDA Legislature Party meeting was attended by newly elected MLAs of the BJP and its allies– Asom Gana Parishad and Bodoland People’s Front. Union minister J. P. Nadda and Haryana chief minister Nayab Singh Saini attended the meeting as central observer and co-observer respectively.
Announcing Sarma’s election, Nadda said eight BJP legislators had proposed his name for the top post and the proposal received unanimous support from all alliance partners.
“We are grateful to the people of Assam for once again reposing faith in the NDA to continue the path of development and progress,” Nadda said.
He informed that the NDA had staked claim to form the government with the support of 102 MLAs in the 126-member Assam Assembly. Nadda also said Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union Home Minister Amit Shah, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and several senior BJP leaders would attend the swearing-in ceremony.
