Himanta Biswa Sarma took the oath of office as Chief Minister of Assam for a second consecutive term on Tuesday [1].
The victory solidifies the influence of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in Northeast India and marks a historic shift in the state's political leadership. Sarma is the only non-Congress leader to achieve back-to-back terms as the chief minister in Assam [2].
Prime Minister Narendra Modi attended the ceremony on May 12, 2026 [1]. During the event, Sarma was sworn in alongside four ministers [3].
The leadership transition follows an election where the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) retained a two-thirds majority in the 126-member Assam Legislative Assembly [4]. The BJP won 82 seats in the election [5].
The alliance's strength was further bolstered by its partners. Both the Asom Gana Parishad (AGP) and the Bodoland People's Front (BPF) won 10 seats each [5].
This electoral performance allows Sarma to continue his administration with a significant mandate. The ceremony signals a continuation of the current governance strategy in the region, a move supported by the presence of the prime minister.
“Sarma is the only non-Congress leader to achieve back-to-back terms as the chief minister in Assam”
Sarma's second term represents a consolidation of power for the BJP in Assam, breaking the historical dominance of the Congress party in the state. By securing a two-thirds majority through a coalition of 102 total seats, the administration possesses the legislative strength to push through major policy changes without significant parliamentary obstruction.
