Himanta Biswa Sarma swearing-in: Modi, Shah to attend Assam ceremony
Synopsis
Key Takeaways
Prime Minister Narendra Modi and senior Union government leaders are set to attend the swearing-in ceremony of the new Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) government in Assam on 12 May, with Chief Minister-designate Himanta Biswa Sarma set to take oath at 11 am IST at the Veterinary College ground in Khanapara, Guwahati. The ceremony marks Sarma's second consecutive term as Chief Minister of Assam, following the NDA's decisive mandate in the recently concluded state Assembly elections.
PM Modi Arrives in Guwahati
Prime Minister Modi arrived in Guwahati on Monday night, landing at the Lokpriya Gopinath Bordoloi International Airport at Borjhar. He was received by Chief Minister-designate Himanta Biswa Sarma, state BJP President Dilip Saikia, and other government officials upon arrival.
Key Leaders Expected at the Ceremony
Speaking to reporters, Sarma confirmed that several senior NDA leaders are expected to attend the oath-taking event. These include Union Home Minister Amit Shah, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, BJP president Nitin Nabin, and Chief Ministers from NDA-ruled states. Thousands of BJP workers, including booth-level karyakartas from across Assam, are also expected to participate in the event.
Security and Preparations
Elaborate security arrangements have been put in place at the Khanapara venue, given the presence of the Prime Minister and other senior political leaders. Barricades, traffic diversions, and multi-layered security deployments have been established around the area, with senior police officials reviewing preparedness on Monday. Sarma himself reviewed final preparations at the venue ahead of the ceremony.
First Cabinet Meeting and Agenda
The Chief Minister-designate stated that the first Cabinet meeting of the new government would be held shortly after the swearing-in ceremony. Sarma indicated that implementation of the BJP's electoral commitments and the state's development agenda would remain the government's top priority in the new term. The BJP-led NDA had secured a decisive mandate in the recently concluded Assam Assembly elections, paving the way for Sarma's return to office for a second consecutive term.