Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrived in Assam to attend the swearing-in ceremony of Himanta Biswa Sarma as the state's chief minister.
The event signals the continued dominance of the Bharatiya Janata Party-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) in the region. A strong mandate in the assembly elections ensures the administration retains control over key policy and governance initiatives in the northeast.
Sarma is taking the oath for a second consecutive term [1]. This return to office follows a decisive electoral performance where the NDA secured a three-fourths majority [2]. The victory allows the coalition to maintain a stable legislative grip on the state assembly.
Alongside the chief minister, four ministers were sworn into office [4]. This group includes two representatives from the BJP, one from the Asom Gana Parishad (AGP), and one from the Bodoland People's Front (BPF) [4]. The diverse composition of the cabinet reflects the coalition's strategy to maintain regional alliances.
Preparations for the ceremony extended beyond the official proceedings. Several Maharashtra leaders, including Devendra Fadnavis and Sunetra Pawar, visited the Kamakhya Temple in Guwahati to seek blessings before the event began [3].
Modi's presence at the ceremony underscores the central government's commitment to the state's leadership. The prime minister's arrival coincided with the finalization of the new cabinet, marking the formal start of Sarma's second tenure [1], [2].
“Sarma is taking the oath for a second consecutive term”
The second consecutive term for Himanta Biswa Sarma, backed by a three-fourths majority, solidifies the NDA's political hegemony in Assam. By including ministers from the AGP and BPF, the administration is leveraging a broad coalition to manage ethnic and regional complexities in the state, while the presence of PM Modi reinforces the alignment between the state government and the central leadership in New Delhi.
