×
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT

Himanta Biswa Sarma takes oath as Assam Chief Minister

Sarma replaced Sarbananda Sonowal, who was BJP's face of identity politics in Assam since 2014 Lok Sabha polls
Last Updated 10 May 2021, 13:37 IST

Senior BJP leader Himanta Biswa Sarma took oath as 15th Chief Minister of Assam on Monday along with 13 other ministers.

Sarma and 13 others were administered the oath of office and secrecy by Governor Jagdish Mukhi at 12 noon at Sankardev Kalakshetra, a centre of Vaishnavite culture, here.

Among the ministers, 10 are from BJP, two from Asom Gana Parishad (AGP) and one from United People's Party Liberal (UPPL), two regional allies of BJP.

UPPL had sought two berths in the Sarma cabinet but was given only one (UG Brahma).

Those who took oath on Sunday were Chandra Mohan Patowary, Parimal Suklabaidya, Piyush Hazarika, Jogen Mohan, Atul Bora, UG Brahma, Keshav Mahanta, Ronoj Pegu, Sanjoy Kisan, Ajanta Neog, Ashok Singhal, Piyush Hazarika and Bimal Bora.

Patowary, Suklabaidya, Mohan, Kisan, Piyush Hazarika, Atul Bora and Keshav Mahanta were ministers in the Sonowal government.

Sarma, 52 on Sunday was named as new Chief Minister, a week after BJP and the allies won the mandate to form their government for the second consecutive term. The alliance won 75 of 126 Assembly seats, of which BJP bagged 60, AGP and UPPL won nine and four seats respectively.

Soon after taking oath as the CM, Sarma told reporters that tackling the present Covid-19 situation would the topmost priority.

"The first cabinet meeting to be held tomorrow will take measures to tackle the Covid which has become alarming. We are reporting almost 5,000 cases daily. It will also take steps on how to fulfil the promises we made to the people before the elections, such as waiver of the micro credit loans," he said.

Sarma also appealed to Ulfa insurgent leader Paresh Baruah to come forward for talks.

BJP president JP Nadda, DONER minister Jitendra Singh, former CM Sarbananda Sonowal, Tripura CM Biplab Kumar Deb, Meghalaya CM Conrad Sangma, Manipur CM N. Biren Singh, Nagaland CM Neiphiu Rio, BPF chief Hagrama Mohilary, among others attended the swearing-in ceremony.

Sarma replaced Sarbananda Sonowal, who was BJP's face of identity politics in Assam since the 2014 Lok Sabha polls. Sonowal was named as BJP's CM candidate before the 2016 Assembly elections and served as CM for the past five years.

But BJP did not name a CM candidate ahead of the Assembly elections held in March-April keeping the speculation alive that the party could go for Sarma.

Opposition Congress said tackling the spike in Covid-19 positive cases should be the top priority of the new government.

"The new government should also ensure that the unity and brotherhood among various communities belonging to different religion and culture remain intact, apart from reviving the economy. The government must also fulfil the promises it made to the people before the elections," senior Congress leader, Ripun Bora, who served as president of Assam Pradesh Congress Committee till the results on May 2, said.

Bora resigned from the post after Congress failed to wrest power from BJP and its allies.

Congress won only 29 seats while Badaruddin Ajmal's AIUDF bagged 16 seats, three more than in 2016.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi congratulated Himanta Biswa Sarma on taking oath as Assam chief minister, and expressed confidence that he and his team of ministers will add momentum to the development journey of the state and fulfil people's aspirations.

In his tweets, Modi also had a word of praise for Sarma's predecessor Sarbananda Sonowal, saying his "valued colleague" was at the helm of a pro-people and pro-development administration over the last five years. His contribution towards Assam's progress and strengthening the party in the state is immense, the prime minister said.

ADVERTISEMENT
(Published 10 May 2021, 06:43 IST)

Follow us on

ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT