Himanta Govt 2.0: Assam's 'Mama' To Take Oath Tomorrow After BJP's Hat-Trick Win

Last Updated:May 11, 2026, 23:30 IST

Sarma, who is widely considered one of the most powerful BJP leaders in the Northeast, will take oath as the Assam Chief Minister for the second consecutive time.

Himanta Biswa Sarma is set to assume the Chief Minister’s post in Assam for the second consecutive time on Tuesday after leading the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) to a hat-trick of victories in the northeastern state in the backdrop of a highly polarised political narrative.

Sarma, who is widely considered one of the most powerful BJP leaders in the northeast and the face of a sustainable governance model, banked on a hardline strategy that focused on eviction drives and a tough stance against ‘Miyas’ – a term for Bangladeshi Muslims.

READ MORE: Assam Cabinet Announced: Check Ministers Who Will Take Oath On Tuesday

Despite the aggressive rhetoric, Sarma’s messaging appeared to have cut through. The National Democratic Alliance (NDA) got a historic third term in Assam after winning 102 seats in the 126-member Assembly, with the BJP alone winning 82 seats. As Sarma prepares to take the oath tomorrow, let’s have a look at his long political career.

From Congress To Key BJP Strategist

Before his involvement in the BJP, Sarma was regarded as a well-known face in the Congress. After being elected as an MLA from the Jalukbari seat in 2001, Sarma was assigned important portfolios in Tarun Gogoi’s cabinet, such as the health and education departments.

Sarma earned widespread praise for his strategic skills in boosting the Congress’s position in Assam. However, a rift between Tarun Gogoi and Sarma over Gaurav Gogoi’s role in the party escalated, and Sarma eventually resigned from the Congress Party in 2015 to join the BJP – a transformational moment in Assam’s politics.

Since Sarma joined the BJP, the saffron party has been on an ascending trajectory in the state. Sarma helped the BJP team up with other parties and expand its footprint across the region, leading to the party’s first victory in 2016. Sarma’s reputation for political management and administrative control grew, paving the way for him becoming the chief minister in 2021.

Assam’s ‘Mama’

Sarma is affectionately called ‘Mama’, a reference to his reputation as an accessible leader and social welfare programmes. He is widely credited for generating jobs, developing infrastructure, increasing connectivity, welfare schemes for women and other marginalised sections of society, and improving healthcare and education in Assam.

However, Sarma’s governance has come with controversies, particularly concerning his government’s eviction drives aimed at clearing alleged encroachments on forest and government land. Sarma has also made headlines for his rhetoric on infiltration and Miya Muslims, who trace their roots to Bengali-speaking migrants who settled in the state during and after colonial rule.

Cut to May 2026, Sarma successfully led the BJP to a record third consecutive term, showcasing his grip in Assam’s political landscape. He won comfortably from his home turf of Jalukbari, reinforcing his long-standing dominance in the seat.

Who Will Take Oath?

The CM-designate will take the oath along with four other members who will be part of the new cabinet. Sarma announced that Rameswar Teli, Atul Bora, Charan Boro and Ajanta Neog will be part of the new cabinet, while Ranjit Kumar Das has been named as the BJP’s candidate for Assam Speaker.

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