Himanta Biswa Sarma sworn in as Assam CM

Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Himanta Biswa Sarma was sworn-in as the chief minister of Assam at the Srimanta Sankardeva Kalakshetra in Guwahati on May 10. The oath of office was administered by Governor Jagdish Mukhi.

BJP National President JP Nadda, Tripura Chief Minister Biplab Deb and Meghalaya CM Conrad Sangma, among others, were also present at the ceremony. A number ministers were also inducted into the state Cabinet.

The powerful North East Democratic Alliance (NEDA) convenor was elected as the legislature party leader on May 9, a week after the ruling alliance won the Legislative Assembly elections with a clear majority for the second successive term, after his name was proposed by outgoing Chief Minister Sonowal. This had ended speculation over who would get the state’s top job as both Sonowal and Sarma were seen as contenders.

The BJP central leadership had called the duo to New Delhi on May 8 to sort out that issue and it is now widely expected that Sonowal will be given an alternate leadership position possibly in the union government.