Himanta Biswa Sarma Sworn In as Assam CM for Second Term

Dr. Himanta Biswa Sarma was sworn in as the Chief Minister of Assam for a second consecutive term on Tuesday, May 12, 2026. The oath of office and secrecy was administered by Governor Lakshman Prasad Acharya during a grand ceremony held at the Veterinary College Field in Khanapara, Guwahati. This significant political event marks the beginning of the third consecutive term for the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) government in Assam, solidifying the party's dominance in the northeastern state. The swearing-in ceremony was a high-profile affair, attended by numerous national dignitaries, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union Home Minister Amit Shah, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, and Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman. Chief Ministers from several other NDA-ruled states and senior BJP national leaders were also present, highlighting the importance of Assam's electoral outcome for the national political landscape. The event drew a large gathering of party workers and supporters, who cheered as Sarma took his oath dressed in traditional Assamese attire. Alongside Chief Minister Sarma, four Members of Legislative Assembly (MLAs) were also sworn in as ministers in the new Council of Ministers. These ministers include BJP leaders Ajanta Neog and Rameswar Teli, along with Atul Bora from the Asom Gana Parishad (AGP) and Charan Boro from the Bodoland People's Front (BPF) or United People's Party Liberal (UPPL), who are alliance partners. Ajanta Neog, Atul Bora, and Charan Boro were also members of Sarma's previous cabinet, while Rameswar Teli, a former Union minister, transitioned back to state politics for this new term. The formation of this new government follows the decisive mandate secured by the BJP-led NDA in the April 2026 Assam Legislative Assembly elections. The alliance achieved a significant victory, winning 102 out of the 126 seats in the state assembly. This strong performance underscores the public's continued trust in the leadership of Himanta Biswa Sarma and the BJP's agenda for development in Assam. Himanta Biswa Sarma, who first became the Chief Minister of Assam on May 10, 2021, after leading the BJP to power in the 2021 assembly elections, has now become the first non-Congress Chief Minister in Assam's history to serve two consecutive terms. His political journey has seen him rise as a prominent figure in the BJP, particularly in the North-East, and he is widely credited for consolidating the party's influence across the region. Prior to the swearing-in, Sarma was unanimously elected as the leader of both the BJP Legislature Party and the NDA Legislature Party in Assam. He subsequently met with Governor Lakshman Prasad Acharya to formally stake claim to form the new government. The outgoing Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal had tendered his resignation earlier, paving the way for Sarma's continued leadership. The new government is expected to focus on key areas such as infrastructure development, investment promotion, welfare schemes, land reforms, and safeguarding indigenous rights, building upon the progress achieved in the previous term. The successful formation of the government for a third consecutive term by the NDA, under Sarma's leadership, demonstrates a significant political shift in Assam and the broader North-Eastern region, moving away from prolonged Congress dominance. This continuity in governance is anticipated to further accelerate development initiatives and maintain political stability in the state.

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