Himanta Biswa Sarma to resign as Assam CM today, BJP eyes third term
Synopsis
Assam's BJP just pulled off a hat-trick — 82 seats out of 126 in a state that was Congress territory not a decade ago. Himanta Biswa Sarma's resignation on Wednesday is a formality; the real story is how the BJP has structurally redrew Assam's political map three elections in a row.
Key Takeaways
Himanta Biswa Sarma will meet Governor Lakshman Prasad Acharya on Wednesday, 7 May to submit his resignation as Assam Chief Minister.
The BJP won 82 out of 126 seats in the Assam Assembly elections, securing a third consecutive majority.
Nadda and Haryana CM Nayab Singh Saini have been appointed as central observers for the BJP Legislature Party leader election.
The swearing-in date will be announced after the BJP Legislature Party formally elects its leader.
Congress finished second with just 19 seats ; regional parties BPF and AGP won 10 seats each .
Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma is set to meet Governor Lakshman Prasad Acharya in Guwahati on Wednesday, 7 May to formally tender his resignation, initiating the constitutional process for the formation of a new Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-led government following the party's landslide victory in the Assam Assembly elections. The move clears the path for what is widely expected to be Sarma's third consecutive term as Chief Minister.
Key Developments
Speaking to reporters in Guwahati on Tuesday, Sarma confirmed that the BJP's central leadership has appointed senior party figures as observers for the election of the BJP Legislative Party leader. Former BJP national president J.P. Nadda and Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini have been named as the designated observers.
Point of View
And regional parties like AGP and BPF have been absorbed into the NDA orbit rather than acting as independent power centres. The real question now is whether Sarma's third term can translate political dominance into measurable development outcomes — particularly in flood management, land rights, and employment — or whether the absence of a strong opposition will reduce legislative accountability in the state.
NationPress
10 May 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is Himanta Biswa Sarma resigning as Assam Chief Minister?
Sarma is resigning as a constitutional formality to enable the formation of a new government after the BJP's victory in the Assam Assembly elections. The resignation paves the way for the BJP Legislature Party to formally elect its leader and begin the swearing-in process.
How many seats did the BJP win in the Assam Assembly elections?
The BJP-led NDA won 82 out of 126 seats in the Assam Assembly elections, comfortably crossing the majority mark of 64. This gives the party a third consecutive term in power in Assam.
Who are the observers appointed for the BJP Legislature Party leader election in Assam?
The BJP central leadership has appointed former national president J.P. Nadda and Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini as observers for the election of the BJP Legislature Party leader in Assam.
When will the swearing-in ceremony for the new Assam government take place?
The swearing-in date has not yet been announced. It will be confirmed after the BJP Legislature Party formally elects its leader, a process overseen by the central observers J.P. Nadda and Nayab Singh Saini.
How did other parties perform in the Assam Assembly elections?
Congress won 19 seats, BPF and AGP secured 10 seats each, AIUDF and Raijor Dal won 2 seats each, and TMC managed 1 seat. The BJP's 82-seat tally left the opposition significantly behind the majority mark.
