Assam cabinet expansion: 12 MLAs sworn in as ministers under Sarma
Synopsis
Assam's new cabinet is now complete — 12 MLAs took oath on 5 June, bringing CM Himanta Biswa Sarma's Council of Ministers to 17. The lineup blends experienced hands like Pijush Hazarika and Keshab Mahanta with first-timers, while Chandra Mohan Patowary and two others exit, signalling a calculated reshuffle after the NDA's emphatic 2026 election win.
Key Takeaways
Assam Governor Lakshman Prasad Acharya administered the oath to 12 new ministers on 5 June 2026 at Srimanta Sankardev Kalakshetra , Guwahati.
The Council of Ministers now totals 17 members , including Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma .
Experienced ministers Ashok Singhal , Pijush Hazarika , Bimal Borah , Ranoj Pegu , Jayanta Malla Baruah , and AGP 's Keshab Mahanta retained their berths.
First-time cabinet entrants include Ashwini Ray Sarkar , Biswajit Daimary , Nilima Devi , and Susanta Borgohain .
Former ministers Chandra Mohan Patowary , Jogen Mohan , and Urkhao Gwra Brahma did not find a place in the new cabinet.
Former minister Ranjeet Kumar Dass has been appointed Speaker of the Assam Legislative Assembly .
Assam Governor Lakshman Prasad Acharya on Friday, 5 June administered the oath of office and secrecy to 12 newly inducted ministers in the cabinet led by Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, completing the formation of the new state government in Guwahati. The expansion follows the National Democratic Alliance (NDA)'s decisive victory in the 2026 Assam Assembly elections, with Sarma beginning a second consecutive term as Chief Minister.
Swearing-In Ceremony
The oath ceremony was held at the Srimanta Sankardev Kalakshetra in Guwahati, attended by Chief Minister Sarma, senior Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leaders, legislators, and government officials. The 12 legislators who took the oath as Cabinet Ministers were Ashwini Ray Sarkar, Ashok Singhal, Bimal Borah, Biswajit Daimary, Jayanta Malla Baruah, Kaushik Rai, Keshab Mahanta, Krishnendu Paul, Nilima Devi, Pijush Hazarika, Ranoj Pegu, and Susanta Borgohain.
Council of Ministers Strength
With the latest induction, the Council of Ministers now stands at 17 members, including Chief Minister Sarma and the four ministers sworn in at an earlier ceremony — Ajanta Neog, Rameswar Teli, Atul Bora, and Charan Boro. The expanded cabinet reflects a deliberate blend of continuity and fresh representation.
Continuity and New Faces
Several experienced ministers have retained their cabinet berths, including Ashok Singhal, Pijush Hazarika, Jayanta Malla Baruah, Ranoj Pegu, Bimal Borah, and Asom Gana Parishad (AGP) leader Keshab Mahanta, signalling the party's confidence in their administrative track record. First-time cabinet entrants include Ashwini Ray Sarkar, Biswajit Daimary, Nilima Devi, and Susanta Borgohain. Notably, Daimary had served as Speaker of the Assam Legislative Assembly in the previous term.
Notable Exits and New Appointment
The new ministry marks the departure of several ministers from the outgoing government, including Chandra Mohan Patowary, Jogen Mohan, and Urkhao Gwra Brahma. Former minister Ranjeet Kumar Dass has been appointed Speaker of the Assembly, a significant post that reflects the coalition's internal balancing act.
Political Significance
Political observers view the cabinet composition as an effort to maintain administrative stability while broadening regional and social representation across Assam. The ministry was constituted weeks after Sarma was sworn in for his second consecutive term, completing the NDA government's institutional formation. How the new team navigates governance priorities — from flood management to infrastructure — will be closely watched in the months ahead.
Point of View
Absorbing coalition partners like AGP through Keshab Mahanta's retention, and inducting fresh faces to signal renewal. The exclusion of Chandra Mohan Patowary, a senior BJP figure, is the most telling signal: Sarma is consolidating personal authority rather than managing a broad tent. The entry of Biswajit Daimary — a former Assembly Speaker from a tribal constituency — suggests a deliberate outreach to Bodoland, a region that has historically tested Assam's political stability. Whether the new cabinet translates electoral dominance into governance delivery will define Sarma's second term far more than the oath ceremony itself.
NationPress
5 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Who were the 12 ministers sworn into the Assam cabinet on 5 June 2026?
The 12 legislators who took oath as Cabinet Ministers were Ashwini Ray Sarkar, Ashok Singhal, Bimal Borah, Biswajit Daimary, Jayanta Malla Baruah, Kaushik Rai, Keshab Mahanta, Krishnendu Paul, Nilima Devi, Pijush Hazarika, Ranoj Pegu, and Susanta Borgohain. The ceremony was held at Srimanta Sankardev Kalakshetra in Guwahati.
What is the total strength of the Assam Council of Ministers after the expansion?
The Assam Council of Ministers now has 17 members in total, including Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma and four ministers sworn in at an earlier ceremony — Ajanta Neog, Rameswar Teli, Atul Bora, and Charan Boro.
Which ministers from the previous Assam government did not get a cabinet berth?
Former ministers Chandra Mohan Patowary, Jogen Mohan, and Urkhao Gwra Brahma were not included in the new cabinet. Their exits mark a significant reshaping of the ruling coalition's inner circle.
Who has been appointed Speaker of the Assam Legislative Assembly?
Former minister Ranjeet Kumar Dass has been appointed Speaker of the Assam Legislative Assembly. The appointment is seen as part of the NDA's broader institutional balancing following its 2026 election victory.
Why is Biswajit Daimary's cabinet induction significant?
Biswajit Daimary, a first-time cabinet minister in this term, previously served as Speaker of the Assam Legislative Assembly. His inclusion is viewed by political observers as an outreach to tribal and Bodoland constituencies, reflecting the new government's effort to broaden regional representation.
