Himanta Biswa Sarma Sworn-In As Assam’s New Chief Minister

The state’s Governor Jagdish Mukhi administered the oath to Mr Sarma. BJP national president JP Nadda and other leaders were also present at the ceremony.

BJP leader Himanta Biswa Sarma has taken oath as the Chief Minister of Assam. The state’s Governor Jagdish Mukhi administered the oath to Mr Sarma. BJP national president JP Nadda and other leaders were also present at the ceremony.

On Sunday, in the meeting of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) Legislature Party in Guwahati, Mr Sarma was elected unanimously.

The 15th Chief Minister of Assam began his day by offering prayers at Doul Gobinda Temple and Kamakhya Temple and sought the blessings of the people of his constituency Jalukbari. After that, Mr Sarma headed for the oath-taking ceremony.

Himanta Biswa Sarma, often credited for the saffron party’s growing footprints in the northeast region, left the Congress in 2015 despite being close to Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi as he felt sidelined.

Ending a week-long silence, the toss-up between the incumbent Sonowal and Deputy CM Sarma came to an end with the latter being selected as the party’s leader.

Himanta Biswa Sarma, a former Congress leader, is seen as the architect of the BJP’s two consecutive victories in Assam and had been a strong contender for the chief minister’s post. According to India Today, Sonowal is likely to be given a role in Delhi which he isn’t keen on taking up and wants to be involved in Assam’s politics.

In 2016, Himanta Biswa Sarma had an influential presence in the party and the government. Apart from being Deputy Chief Minister, he also handled the portfolios of finance, PWD and education. He also headed the most important health department that many believe had successfully tackled the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic last year.