Governor Laxman Prasad Acharya has appointed Himanta Biswa Sarma as the Chief Minister of Assam, marking the NDA’s third consecutive term. After being unanimously elected as the leader of the BJP-led NDA legislature party, Sarma staked his claim with the support of 102 MLAs. He will take oath on May 12, which Prime Minister Modi is expected to attend.

Guwahati: Governor Laxman Prasad Acharya on Sunday appointed BJP leader Himanta Biswa Sarma as the chief minister. AssamPaving the way for the third consecutive NDA government in the state.After being unanimously elected leader of the BJP-led NDA legislature party, Sarma along with alliance leaders met the Governor at Lok Bhawan and formally staked claim to form the government.A notification signed by Chief Secretary Ravi Kota said, “In exercise of the powers conferred under clause (1) of Article 164 of the Constitution of India, the Governor of Assam is pleased to appoint Dr. Himanta Biswa Sarma as the Chief Minister of Assam.” It said Sarma will take oath on May 12 at 11.40 am at the Veterinary College Field, Khanapara.The NDA comprising BJP, Assam Gana Parishad (AGP) and Bodoland People’s Front (BPF) secured a sweeping mandate in the assembly elections and won a record 102 seats in the 126-member House. BJP won 82 seats, while AGP and BPF won 10 seats each.Sarma, who became the chief minister for the first time in 2021, is the first non-Congress leader to serve as CM in Assam for two consecutive terms.This will be the NDA’s third consecutive term in the state as the BJP-led alliance first came to power in 2016 under the leadership of then CM Sarbananda Sonowal. Earlier, a statement from Lok Bhawan had said that the Governor has invited Sarma to form the new government, and he will administer the oath of office and secrecy to the elected CM and members of the new Council of Ministers.Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union Home Minister Amit Shah, Defense Minister Rajnath Singh and BJP President Nitin Nabin, among others, are expected to attend the swearing-in ceremony.“I have been elected the leader of the BJP legislature party. NDA parties, BPF and AGP have also elected me as their leader,” Sarma said while reading out the letter submitted to the Governor.“I have the support of 102 NDA MLAs. I have the signatures of all of them,” he said. AGP chief Atul Bora and BPF leader Rihon Daimary also submitted letters of support to the Governor.Union minister JP Nadda and Haryana CM Nayab Singh Saini, who were appointed BJP’s central observers and co-observers, accompanied Sarma and other alliance leaders to Lok Bhawan.Speaking to reporters, Nadda said the election results show public support for PM Modi’s development policies. PTI