ElectionUpdate – Himanta Biswa Sarma Resigns Ahead of Assam Government Formation
ElectionUpdate – Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Wednesday formally stepped down from his post and submitted his resignation to Governor Lakshman Prasad Acharya, paving the way for the formation of a new state government after the NDA’s decisive victory in the Assembly elections.
Governor Accepts Resignation and Assembly Dissolution
According to an official statement, the governor accepted Sarma’s resignation and requested him to continue as the caretaker chief minister until the swearing-in of the next government takes place. The governor also approved the recommendation to dissolve the existing 15th Assam Legislative Assembly.
After meeting the governor, Sarma addressed reporters and indicated that the oath-taking ceremony for the new administration would likely be held after May 11. He said the process would move forward once the Bharatiya Janata Party elects its Legislature Party leader.
BJP Appoints Observers for Leadership Selection
The BJP Parliamentary Board has appointed party president J P Nadda as the central observer for the election of the Legislature Party leader in Assam. Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini has been named co-observer for the exercise.
Sarma explained that the BJP Legislature Party meeting would take place in the presence of both senior leaders. During the meeting, party legislators will choose their leader, following which the National Democratic Alliance partners will gather to extend formal support to the selected candidate.
NDA Allies to Meet Governor
The outgoing chief minister stated that once the BJP Legislature Party elects its leader, representatives of the BJP, the Asom Gana Parishad (AGP), and the Bodoland People’s Front (BPF) would jointly meet the governor. The governor is then expected to invite the chosen leader to form the next government in the state.
Sarma also mentioned that the Legislature Party meeting is expected to be held on or before May 11. The exact date is likely to be communicated soon by the office of J P Nadda.
NDA Registers Massive Electoral Victory
The NDA secured a commanding mandate in the Assam Assembly elections, winning 102 out of the 126 seats in the House. The BJP emerged as the dominant force within the alliance, securing 82 seats on its own.
Alliance partners AGP and BPF each won 10 seats, strengthening the coalition’s position in the state legislature.
The opposition parties collectively managed to secure 24 seats. The Congress emerged as the leading opposition party with 19 seats, while its ally Raijor Dal won two constituencies. The All India United Democratic Front (AIUDF) also captured two seats, and the Trinamool Congress secured one seat.
PM Modi Likely to Attend Swearing-In Ceremony
Sources indicate that Prime Minister Narendra Modi is expected to attend the swearing-in ceremony of the new Assam government. The event is likely to witness the participation of several senior BJP and NDA leaders from across the country.
The upcoming government formation process is being closely watched as the BJP-led alliance prepares to begin another term in Assam following its strong electoral performance.