Assam CM Himanta Biswa Sarma resigns; new govt likely May 12
Synopsis
Himanta Biswa Sarma has stepped down as Assam Chief Minister after the BJP won 82 of 126 assembly seats — a third straight term. The Governor has asked him to stay on as caretaker while the BJP Legislature Party meets to elect its leader, with the swearing-in likely on 12 May.
Key Takeaways
Himanta Biswa Sarma resigned as Assam Chief Minister on 6 May 2026 , along with his council of ministers.
Governor Lakshman Prasad Acharya accepted the resignation and asked Sarma to continue as caretaker CM .
The swearing-in of the new government is likely on 12 May .
BJP won 82 out of 126 seats, securing a third consecutive term in Assam.
Congress won 19 seats ; BPF and AGP secured 10 seats each .
Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Wednesday, 6 May tendered his resignation to Governor Lakshman Prasad Acharya at Raj Bhavan, Guwahati, setting in motion the formal process for the formation of a new government following the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)'s commanding victory in the Assam Assembly elections 2026. The Governor accepted the resignation but requested Sarma to continue as caretaker Chief Minister until the new government assumes office. Sources indicate the oath-taking ceremony is likely to be held on 12 May.
Resignation and Caretaker Status
The Chief Minister's Office (CMO) confirmed the development in a post on X, stating:
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did Himanta Biswa Sarma resign as Assam Chief Minister?
Sarma resigned on 6 May 2026 to formally facilitate the constitution of a new government following the BJP-led NDA alliance's decisive win in the Assam Assembly elections 2026. This is a standard constitutional procedure after election results are notified.
When is the new Assam government likely to be sworn in?
Sources indicate the oath-taking ceremony is likely to be held on 12 May 2026 in Guwahati. Senior BJP leaders are expected to attend the swearing-in ceremony.
How many seats did BJP win in the Assam Assembly elections 2026?
The BJP won 82 out of 126 assembly seats, comfortably crossing the majority mark and securing a third consecutive term in office. The BJP-led NDA alliance's victory was described as a decisive mandate.
What is Himanta Biswa Sarma's role until the new government is formed?
Governor Lakshman Prasad Acharya has requested Sarma to continue as caretaker Chief Minister until the new government is formed and sworn in. He retains executive authority in a limited capacity during this transitional period.
How did other parties perform in the Assam Assembly elections 2026?
Congress finished second with 19 seats, while the Bodoland People's Front (BPF) and Asom Gana Parishad (AGP) won 10 seats each. The All India United Democratic Front (AIUDF) and Raijor Dal won 2 seats each, and the All India Trinamool Congress (TMC) won 1 seat.
