Himanta Biswa Sarma set for second term as Assam CM after unanimous BJP pick
Synopsis
Himanta Biswa Sarma's unanimous re-election as BJP legislature party leader in Assam cements his position as the party's most dominant face in the Northeast. With the BJP winning 82 of 126 seats and alliance partners firmly on board, Sarma heads into a second term with a stronger mandate than his first.
Key Takeaways
Himanta Biswa Sarma was unanimously elected BJP legislature party leader in Assam on 10 May , paving the way for his second term as Chief Minister.
The announcement was made by Union Minister J.
Nadda , who served as central observer alongside Haryana CM Nayab Singh Saini .
Alliance partners Asom Gana Parishad and Bodoland People's Front extended their support to Sarma continuing as CM.
The BJP alone won 82 seats in the 126-member Assam Assembly in the recently held elections.
Sarma is set to take the oath as Chief Minister on 12 May , along with his new Council of Ministers.
Himanta Biswa Sarma is set to be sworn in as Chief Minister of Assam for a second consecutive term after being unanimously elected as the leader of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) legislature party in the state on Sunday, 10 May. The announcement was made in Guwahati by Union Minister and former BJP national president J. P. Nadda, following a meeting of newly elected BJP legislators.
How the Decision Was Made
The legislature party meeting was held in the presence of central observers appointed by the BJP's national leadership. The party had designated J. P. Nadda and Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini as central observers for the exercise. Nadda formally announced Sarma's name after the meeting, stating that legislators had unanimously reposed faith in his leadership.
Alliance Partners Back Sarma
The BJP's coalition partners — Asom Gana Parishad (AGP) and Bodoland People's Front (BPF) — also extended their support to Sarma continuing as Chief Minister. Senior leaders of both parties attended the meeting and expressed confidence in his leadership, affirming that the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) in Assam would continue working together for the development of the state.
Sarma's Political Journey
Sarma first became Chief Minister of Assam in 2021, taking over after the BJP retained power in the state Assembly elections. Before joining the BJP in 2015, he was a senior Indian National Congress (Congress) leader and served as a minister in the Congress government led by former Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi. After switching sides, he played a pivotal role in strengthening the BJP's footprint across the Northeast, consolidating alliances with regional parties and expanding the party's political presence in Assam.
Election Results and What Comes Next
In the recently concluded Assam Assembly elections, the BJP alone won 82 seats in the 126-member House, a commanding majority that underscored the party's dominance in the state. Sarma is scheduled to take the oath as Chief Minister on 12 May, along with members of his new Council of Ministers. The swearing-in ceremony will mark the beginning of his second term at the helm of one of the BJP's most strategically important states in the Northeast.
Point of View
His second term comes with a stronger legislative mandate than his first. The real question is whether the BJP's 82-seat majority translates into a more assertive second-term agenda — on contentious issues like the National Register of Citizens and demographic politics — or whether Sarma pivots toward governance consolidation ahead of national calculations. His growing stature in the Northeast makes him a significant variable in the BJP's 2029 arithmetic.
NationPress
10 May 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Himanta Biswa Sarma and why is he significant?
Himanta Biswa Sarma is the Chief Minister of Assam and one of the BJP's most influential leaders in the Northeast. He first became CM in 2021 and is now set for a second consecutive term after his party won 82 of 126 seats in the recent Assam Assembly elections.
When will Himanta Biswa Sarma be sworn in as Chief Minister?
Sarma is scheduled to take the oath as Chief Minister of Assam on 12 May, along with members of his new Council of Ministers.
How many seats did the BJP win in the Assam Assembly elections?
The BJP alone won 82 seats in the 126-member Assam Assembly, giving the party a commanding majority independent of its NDA alliance partners.
Who were the central observers for the BJP legislature party meeting in Assam?
The BJP appointed Union Minister J. P. Nadda and Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini as central observers for the election of the BJP legislature party leader in Assam.
Which parties form the NDA alliance in Assam?
The NDA alliance in Assam comprises the BJP, the Asom Gana Parishad, and the Bodoland People's Front, all of whom have extended support to Sarma's second term as Chief Minister.
