Assam cabinet expansion: Two new ministers sworn in

Both Mohan and Kishan were sworn in as ministers of state with independent charges

Sarbananda Sonowal-led Assam government on Saturday inducted two first time MLAs as new ministers and the ruling party retained its state president for another term ahead of next year's Assembly elections amid the anti-CAA protests.

Sanjay Kishan, belonging to the tea tribe and Jogen Mohan of Ahom community were administered the oath of office and secrecy by Governor Jagdish Mukhi as ministers of state with independent charges here at Raj Bhavan. Sonowal, cabinet ministers Himanta Biswa Sarma, Chandra Mohan Patowary, among others attended the swearing-in ceremony.

Kishan and Mohan represent Tinsukia and Mahmora constituencies in eastern Assam respectively. This takes strength of Sonowal ministry to 18 (including the CM), of which three each belongs to two of its regional allies Asom Gana Parishad and Bodoland People's Front.

The posts of two ministers fell vacant after Pallab Lochan Das and Topon Kumar Gogoi, two MLAs were elected to Lok Sabha in 2019.

Sources within the party said Kishan and Mohan were inducted in order to attract more votes from the tea gardens and the ethnic communities, who are agitating against the CAA.

In a separate function here, Ranjeet Kumar Dass, president of BJP's Assam unit was retained for another term of three years. Addressing a function where union minister Dharmendra Pradhan announced the decision, Assam minister Himanta Biswa Sarma exuded confidence that the party would retain power despite protests against the Citizenship (Amendment) Act. Sarma said he was very confident as BJP was successful in increasing its Lok Sabha count in 2019 elections from seven to nine.