In a significant political milestone, Himanta Biswa Sarma has been sworn in as Assam’s Chief Minister for a second consecutive term, making history as the first non-Congress leader in the state to achieve this feat. Sarma's swearing-in ceremony took place on May 12, 2026, after the BJP-led NDA secured a record victory in the Assam Assembly elections, further solidifying the party's dominance in the state.
The oath of office and secrecy was administered by Governor Lakshman Prasad Acharya at a high-profile event attended by key figures, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union Home Minister Amit Shah, and Defence Minister Rajnath Singh. Alongside Sarma, four senior leaders, including BJP's Rameswar Teli, Ajanta Neog, AGP's Atul Bora, and BPF's Charan Boro, also took their oaths.
The victory in the Assam Assembly elections marked a massive political shift, with the BJP alone securing 82 seats out of 126, crossing the majority mark for the first time in the state’s history. The BJP's allies, AGP and BPF, added 10 seats each, ensuring the NDA’s continued rule in Assam. The landslide victory also positions Sarma as the leading figure in Assam and the BJP's key regional leader in Northeast India.
In his second term, Sarma is expected to focus on several key priorities, including infrastructure development, investment, welfare schemes, land reforms, and strengthening indigenous rights. Sarma’s leadership is seen as central to the BJP’s strategic expansion across Northeastern states, with the Chief Minister playing an instrumental role in the party's success in the region.
While the BJP's event showcased their strength, the opposition Congress chose not to attend the swearing-in ceremony, accusing the event of being turned into a “political spectacle.” Assam Congress president Gaurav Gogoi criticized the ceremony, stating that the constitutional event had been used to promote political agendas. Despite this opposition, Sarma’s second term reflects the strong support of the people of Assam for the BJP-led government and is expected to shape the future of the state’s governance for years to come.
