Himanta Biswa Sarma Takes Oath as Assam Chief Minister for Second Consecutive Term

Senior Bharatiya Janata Party leader Himanta Biswa Sarma was sworn in as the Chief Minister of Assam for a second consecutive term on Monday, marking the return of the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) government in the northeastern state after a decisive electoral victory in the 2026 Assembly elections.

The oath-taking ceremony was held in Guwahati in the presence of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union Home Minister Amit Shah, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and several senior BJP and NDA leaders. Governor Lakshman Prasad Acharya administered the oath of office and secrecy to Sarma along with members of the newly formed council of ministers.

The swearing-in marked the NDA’s third consecutive term in power in Assam and reinforced the BJP’s growing political dominance in the Northeast. The alliance secured a strong mandate in the recently concluded Assembly polls, winning more than 100 seats in the 126-member Assembly. Following the results, Sarma was unanimously elected leader of the BJP Legislature Party and the NDA coalition.

Addressing party workers and supporters ahead of the ceremony, Sarma said his first term in office was “only the trailer” and promised that the second term would present the “full picture” of the government’s vision for Assam. His remarks indicated an ambitious development-focused agenda centred on infrastructure, industrial growth, administrative reforms and welfare expansion.

The new government is expected to continue several flagship initiatives launched during Sarma’s first tenure. Key priorities are likely to include improving road and railway connectivity, strengthening healthcare infrastructure, expanding educational opportunities and accelerating investment projects across the state. Officials also indicated that the administration would focus on employment generation and urban development in major districts.

Sources within the BJP stated that the new ministry would reflect the coalition structure of the NDA in Assam. Leaders from alliance partners, including the Asom Gana Parishad and other regional groups, are expected to be accommodated in the cabinet. Political observers believe the arrangement is aimed at maintaining regional balance and ensuring broader representation within the government. Security arrangements were intensified across Guwahati during the swearing-in event due to the presence of several senior national leaders. Authorities confirmed that one individual was detained near the venue after security personnel allegedly recovered live bullets from his possession. Police officials said an investigation into the incident has been launched, though no disruption was reported during the ceremony.

Sarma’s return to office is being viewed as a major political milestone for the BJP in the Northeast. Since taking charge as Chief Minister in 2021, he has emerged as one of the party’s most influential leaders in the region. His administration focused heavily on infrastructure expansion, welfare delivery, digitisation of governance and measures related to border management and land regulation.

Political analysts noted that Sarma’s leadership style and organisational influence played a significant role in the NDA’s electoral performance in Assam. His ability to consolidate support across diverse social and regional groups strengthened the BJP’s position in the state over the past few years.

Before joining the BJP, Sarma was a prominent Congress leader in Assam. His switch to the BJP nearly a decade ago significantly altered the political landscape of the Northeast and helped the party expand its organisational presence across the region. With the new government now in place, attention has shifted toward the administration’s policy priorities and its roadmap for Assam’s economic and social development over the next five years.