Himanta Sarma elected as NDA leader, set to return as Assam CM on May 12

Himanta Biswa Sarma was unanimously elected leader of the BJP and NDA Legislature parties in Assam. The decision sets the stage for the new government's swearing-in on May 12 in the presence of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

In Short

• Newly-elected NDA legislators met in Guwahati
• Eight leaders moved resolutions proposing Sarma's name
• AGP and BPF leaders joined BJP members in backing Sarma

Himanta Biswa Sarma will return as the Chief Minister of Assam for a second straight term after he was elected as the leader of the BJP Legislature Party as well as the NDA alliance in Assam on Sunday.

The announcement was made by Union Minister JP Nadda after a meeting of newly-elected NDA legislators in Guwahati.

Nadda said eight proposals backing Sarma’s name were moved by senior leaders, including Ranjeet Kumar Dass, Biswajit Daimary, Ajanta Neog, Rameswar Teli, Rajdeep Roy, Ashok Singhal, Pijush Hazarika and Chakradhar Gogoi.

MLAs from NDA constituents, including the BJP, Asom Gana Parishad and Bodoland People’s Front, attended the meeting. Leaders including Atul Bora (AGP) and Rihon Daimary (BPF) also supported the proposal, following which Sarma was unanimously elected leader of both legislative parties.

Sarma is scheduled to take oath on May 12 in the presence of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who will attend the ceremony as chief guest.

The NDA secured a decisive mandate in the state, winning 102 of the 126 seats against the opposition’s 75. The BJP won 82 seats, while allies AGP and BPF secured 10 seats each.

Among the Opposition, the Congress-led alliance won 19 seats, Raijor Dal secured two, the Assam Jatiya Parishad failed to win any, and AIUDF also won two seats.

- Ends