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Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma resigned on Wednesday along with his council of ministers, clearing the way for formation of a new BJP-led government after the NDA’s emphatic victory in the Assembly elections.

 

The BJP-led NDA secured 102 seats in the 126-member House. Polling was conducted in a single phase on April 9, with counting completed on May 4.

 

According to the Chief Minister’s Office, Sarma submitted his resignation to Governor Laxman Acharya at Lok Bhawan following formal notification of the election results. The Governor accepted the resignation and asked him to continue as caretaker Chief Minister until the new government is sworn in.

 

Speaking to reporters after tendering his resignation, Sarma said the oath-taking ceremony is likely to be held after May 11. “As it was a historic win, we have invited Prime Minister Narendra Modi to grace the occasion,” he said.

 

He added that the Prime Minister’s Office has indicated Modi’s prior commitments until May 11, after which he is expected to visit Assam.

 

Also read: No 'badla', time for 'badlav': PM Modi after Bengal win

On the selection of the next Chief Minister, Sarma said the process would be carried out under the supervision of central observers appointed by the BJP. The party has named Union minister J. P. Nadda as the central observer and Nayab Singh Saini as co-observer.

 

“In their presence, the legislature party will nominate the leader to become the next CM. After that, NDA constituents will sit and finalise the name. So, we should wait for the process to complete,” he said.

 

Sarma, accompanied by cabinet colleague Ranoj Pegu and MLA Manab Deka, said the BJP legislature party meeting would be held before May 11. The exact date would be decided by Nadda and Saini.

 

Following the meeting and endorsement of the leader by NDA partners, the BJP will formally stake claim to form the government, he added.

 

On whether the new ministry would see fresh faces, Sarma said the decision would rest with the incoming Chief Minister. “The leader of the legislature party is yet to be selected. The new CM will decide if there will be new faces in the council of ministers,” he said.

 

In the election, the BJP won 82 seats, while its allies Bodoland People’s Front and Asom Gana Parishad secured 10 seats each.