Guwahati, May 10: Senior Bharatiya Janata Party leader Bhupen Kumar Borah on Saturday said the party was “100 per cent” behind Himanta Biswa Sarma continuing as Chief Minister of Assam ahead of the BJP Legislature Party meeting in Guwahati to formally elect its leader.
“Today, the hope and expectation of the people of Assam will be fulfilled,” Borah said, expressing confidence that the BJP high command would “listen to the voice of the people of Assam”.
The remarks came hours before NDA legislators were scheduled to meet to choose their leader, a process that will pave the way for the formation of the next government in the state following the alliance’s decisive electoral victory.
Preparations are underway in Guwahati for the BJP Legislature Party meeting, after which NDA MLAs are expected to meet the Governor to stake claim to form the government. The swearing-in ceremony of the new government is scheduled for May 12 and will be attended by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
Speaker of the Assam Legislative Assembly Biswajit Daimary said the constitutional process would be completed once legislators formally elect their leader.
“The elected members must choose their leader, who will then take the oath as Chief Minister. Today, all NDA MLAs will gather, select their leader, and then go to the Governor,” Daimary said, adding that the chief minister would subsequently form the new cabinet.
Senior BJP leader Shiladitya Dev described the legislature party meeting as “historic” and expressed confidence that Sarma would begin a second consecutive term in office.
“Our leader, Dr Himanta Biswa Sarma, will again be elected as party leader. He will become Chief Minister for the second time,” Dev said, while claiming that Assam was receiving national attention under Sarma’s leadership.
Several newly elected BJP legislators also publicly backed Sarma ahead of the meeting. Goreswar MLA-elect Victor Kumar Das said the party would continue to function “under the leadership of our CM, Himanta Biswa Sarma”, while Mangaldai MLA-elect Nilima Devi said an announcement regarding Sarma’s selection for a second term would be made soon.
The BJP-led NDA is set to form the government in Assam for a third consecutive term after winning 102 seats in the Assembly elections. The BJP secured 82 seats, while allies Asom Gana Parishad and Bodoland People’s Front won 10 seats each.
The opposition alliance led by the Indian National Congress secured 19 seats. Raijor Dal won two seats, while the All India United Democratic Front also managed two seats. The Assam Jatiya Parishad failed to open its account.
