Guwahati, May 7: The Asom Gana Parishad (AGP), a key constituent of the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) in Assam, on May 6 formally endorsed the continuation of Himanta Biswa Sarma as Chief Minister following the alliance’s decisive victory in the Assembly elections.
The proposal was announced by AGP president and Bokakhat MLA-elect Atul Bora after a meeting of the party’s newly elected legislators held at the AGP headquarters in Guwahati.
Addressing reporters after the meeting, Bora said the party had unanimously supported Sarma’s leadership for the next term. “We invited all the newly elected members of our party. We had a meeting in our head office today. AGP has proposed the name of Dr Himanta Biswa Sarma for the post of the Chief Minister,” he said.
Bora attributed the NDA’s landslide victory to the development initiatives undertaken by the alliance government over the last five years. He said the public mandate reflected people’s confidence in the work carried out by the ruling coalition.
“In the past five years, a lot of work has been done, and the foundation stone of many projects has also been laid. The massive majority that the people of Assam have given to the BJP has given us courage,” Bora stated.
Several AGP legislators also voiced support for Sarma’s continuation as Chief Minister. Bihpuria MLA-elect Bhupen Kumar Borah described him as a “dynamic leader” and said the government’s development agenda had received widespread public backing.
Makum MLA-elect Sanjoy Kishan said he was “happy and elated” over the prospect of Sarma returning to office, while Lakhipur MLA-elect Kaushik Rai credited the NDA’s electoral success to Sarma’s leadership and governance.
“The BJP has achieved a historic victory in Assam. People have shown their respect and faith in the work done under the leadership of Dr Himanta Biswa Sarma,” Rai said.
Bora also asserted that the NDA government would continue prioritising the protection of Assamese identity, culture and heritage during its next term in office.
Echoing similar sentiments, Assam BJP president Dilip Saikia thanked the people of the state for handing the NDA a third consecutive mandate and said the alliance would continue to focus on development and cultural preservation.
“Over the coming five years, we will prioritise and vigorously advance the agenda of Assam’s development and the preservation of its culture and civilisation,” Saikia said.
Earlier in the day, Sarma submitted his resignation to Governor Lakshman Prasad Acharya following the completion of the outgoing government’s term. The Governor requested him to continue as caretaker Chief Minister until the formation of the new government.
The BJP has appointed Union minister J P Nadda and senior party leader Nitin Nabin as central observers for the election of the BJP Legislature Party leader, expected to be held on May 10.
Sarma has indicated that the swearing-in ceremony of the new NDA government is likely to take place on May 12 during Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s proposed visit to Assam.
