Assam Deputy Speaker: BJP's Dr Habbey Teron named NDA candidate
Synopsis
Assam CM Himanta Biswa Sarma has picked Dr Habbey Teron — a doctor, the first MLA from the newly created Amri (ST) seat, and a voice for Karbi Anglong and Dima Hasao — as the NDA's Deputy Speaker candidate. With a comfortable majority behind him, Teron's election is a near-certainty, but the real story is what the appointment signals about tribal representation at the heart of Assam's legislature.
Key Takeaways
Assam CM Himanta Biswa Sarma announced on 18 June that Dr Habbey Teron is the NDA 's candidate for Deputy Speaker of the Assam Legislative Assembly.
Dr Teron is the BJP MLA from the Amri (ST) constituency and the first elected representative from the newly created seat.
He is a medical professional by training and hails from Assam's tribal-dominated hill region.
His nomination is aimed at strengthening the voice of Karbi Anglong and Dima Hasao in the legislative process.
With the NDA holding a comfortable majority in the 126-member Assembly, his election is expected to be a formality.
Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Thursday, 18 June announced that Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) legislator Dr Habbey Teron will be the ruling National Democratic Alliance (NDA)'s candidate for the post of Deputy Speaker of the Assam Legislative Assembly. Dr Teron represents the Amri (ST) constituency in the tribal-dominated hill region and is the first elected representative from the newly created Amri seat.
The Announcement
Chief Minister Sarma made the nomination public via a post on social media platform X, expressing confidence that Dr Teron would amplify the voice of tribal communities within the legislative process. 'I am pleased to announce that Dr. Habbey Teron, Hon'ble MLA from Amri (ST) Hills, will be our candidate for the post of Deputy Speaker of the Assam Legislative Assembly,' Sarma wrote.
Sarma further noted that Dr Teron is a medical professional by training and described him as a symbol of the aspirations of Assam's tribal communities. 'A medical professional by training and the first elected representative from the newly created Amri constituency, Dr Teron represents the aspirations of our tribal communities and will further strengthen the voice of Karbi Anglong and Dima Hasao in the legislative process,' the Chief Minister added.
Why the Candidature Matters
Dr Teron's nomination carries significance beyond a routine appointment. His elevation is widely seen as a deliberate move to ensure greater participation of indigenous and tribal communities in the functioning of the 126-member Assam Assembly. The Amri (ST) seat itself is newly carved, making Dr Teron its first-ever elected representative — a distinction that underscores the symbolic weight of the appointment.
Notably, the post of Deputy Speaker is a key constitutional office, responsible for assisting the Speaker in conducting legislative business and presiding over House proceedings in the Speaker's absence. Representation from hill districts such as Karbi Anglong and Dima Hasao in this office is relatively rare, lending the nomination additional political resonance.
Election Outcome Expected to Be a Formality
With the ruling NDA holding a comfortable majority in the Assam Assembly, Dr Teron's election to the Deputy Speaker's post is widely expected to proceed without contest. The Chief Minister also conveyed his best wishes to Dr Teron ahead of the formal election to the post.
Broader Context
This comes amid the BJP-led alliance's continued efforts to consolidate its support base among tribal and indigenous communities in Assam's hill districts. Ensuring representation at the level of constitutional offices within the legislature reflects a broader political strategy of inclusive governance in a state with a complex ethnic and demographic composition.
Point of View
The BJP is making a visible investment in hill-district optics ahead of future electoral cycles in Assam. Yet symbolic appointments are only as meaningful as the institutional access they translate into — the Deputy Speaker's role, while constitutional, is largely ceremonial when the ruling majority is unchallenged. The real test will be whether Dr Teron's elevation leads to substantive policy attention for Karbi Anglong and Dima Hasao, regions that have long flagged developmental gaps despite their political salience.
NationPress
3 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Dr Habbey Teron?
Dr Habbey Teron is a BJP MLA and medical professional representing the Amri (ST) constituency in Assam. He is the first elected representative from the newly created Amri seat and hails from the tribal-dominated hill region covering Karbi Anglong and Dima Hasao.
Why has Dr Habbey Teron been nominated for Deputy Speaker of the Assam Assembly?
Assam CM Himanta Biswa Sarma nominated Dr Teron to strengthen tribal and indigenous community representation in the legislature. His candidature is seen as a move to ensure greater participation of hill-district communities in the functioning of the 126-member Assam Assembly.
What is the role of the Deputy Speaker in the Assam Legislative Assembly?
The Deputy Speaker is a key constitutional office that assists the Speaker in conducting legislative business and presides over House proceedings in the Speaker's absence. It is one of the senior-most positions within a state legislature.
Is Dr Teron's election to the Deputy Speaker post certain?
With the ruling NDA holding a comfortable majority in the 126-member Assam Assembly, Dr Teron's election to the post is widely expected to be a formality, according to reports.
What is the significance of the Amri (ST) constituency?
Amri (ST) is a newly created assembly constituency in Assam's tribal hill region. Dr Teron is its first-ever elected representative, making his nomination to a constitutional office particularly significant for the communities of Karbi Anglong and Dima Hasao.
