Chief Minister-designate Himanta Biswa Sarma on Sunday, 10 May met Assam Governor Laxman Prasad Acharya at Raj Bhavan in Guwahati to formally stake claim to form the new BJP-led NDA government in the state, after being unanimously elected leader of the alliance legislature party. The swearing-in ceremony is scheduled for 12 May at the Khanapara Veterinary College playground in Guwahati.

How the Claim Was Formalised

Union Minister J.P. Nadda formally announced Sarma's name as the BJP Legislature Party leader and NDA leader during a meeting held at the BJP state headquarters in Guwahati earlier in the day. Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini was also present, with both Nadda and Saini having been appointed as central observers by the BJP leadership for the legislature party election.

Sarma was accompanied to Raj Bhavan by Assam BJP president Dilip Saikia, Finance Minister Ajanta Neog, and other senior party functionaries. Atul Bora, President of the Asom Gana Parishad (AGP) — a key NDA coalition ally in Assam — was also present during the meeting with the Governor.

A Second Term for Sarma, Third for BJP-Led NDA

With this development, Sarma is set to become the Chief Minister of Assam for the second consecutive term. The BJP-led NDA will simultaneously form the government in the northeastern state for the third straight term, underlining the alliance's sustained electoral dominance in the region.

Notably, the unanimous selection of Sarma as legislature party leader signals a consolidation of NDA ranks in Assam ahead of the formal government formation — a contrast to some other states where leadership contests have created internal friction.

Grand Oath Ceremony Planned

The swearing-in is being projected by the BJP as a major political show of strength in the Northeast. Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union Home Minister Amit Shah, and Chief Ministers from BJP-ruled states across the country are expected to attend the event on 12 May. Senior NDA leaders and party workers from across Assam are also likely to participate.

The choice of the Khanapara Veterinary College playground — a large open venue — reflects the scale at which the BJP is planning the ceremony, reinforcing its messaging around Northeast governance as a flagship achievement of the Modi government.

What This Signals for the Northeast

Assam remains the BJP's anchor state in the Northeast, serving as a launchpad for the party's influence across the eight-state region. Sarma's return to power for a second term is expected to sustain the Centre's focus on connectivity, infrastructure, and border management in the region. The coming weeks will reveal the composition of the new cabinet and the policy priorities of Sarma's second administration.