BJP names former Congress 'dissident' Himanta Biswa Sarma as Assam's new CM

Ending week-long suspense, BJP on Sunday named senior party leader, Himanta Biswa Sarma as the new Assam Chief Minister, replacing Sarbananda Sonowal, who was the party's face of identity politics in the state since 2014 Lok Sabha polls.

Sarma was elected as the leader in the legislature party meeting in Guwahati on Sunday afternoon. The incumbent CM Sonowal proposed Himanta's name hours after tendering his resignation to Governor Jagdish Mukhi. President of the party's state unit, Ranjeet Kumar Dass and MLA Nandita Garlosa seconded Sarma's name.

BJP's central observer and Union Agriculture Minister Narendra Singh Tomar named Sarma as the new CM after the legislature party meeting which lasted for about 20 minutes. Later, AGP and UPPL, the two regional allies of BJP formally extended their unconditional support to Sarma as the new CM.

Also read: Incumbent Assam CM Sarbananda Sonowal submits his resignation

Sarma, 52 had quit Congress and joined BJP in 2015 after allegedly leading dissidence against Congress veteran and former CM Tarun Gogoi. Sarma's demand to be the next CM was reportedly rejected by Congress leader Rahul Gandhi then. BJP wrested power from Congress in 2016 and Sonowal became the CM. Sarma was not considered a CM in 2016 Assembly polls as he was new to BJP.

BJP and its allies won 75 out of 126 Assembly seats in the results declared on May 2 but the party remained undecided on the CM mainly due to the tussle over Sonowal and Sarma camp.

Several MLAs belonging to both the camps met their leaders separately since the results, making it tough for the party to decide the next CM. Sources said Sonowal was convinced to give way to Sarma in a meeting with BJP chief JP Nadda held in New Delhi on Saturday.

Read more: Tomar, Arun Singh central observers for electing Assam BJP legislative party leader

Sources said it took time as the party did not have strong ground to remove Sonowal given his "clean image" and his government's performance in the past five years.

Things, however, are not clear yet about the role BJP would offer to Sonowal.

"Our journey begins to fulfill the promises we made to the people before the elections. We must work harder to take the community forward and establish Assam among top five developed states in the country," Himanta said while addressing the meeting with the allies.

Himanta will take oath as the 15th Assam CM on Monday.