Leaders of the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) on Sunday met Assam Governor Lakshman Prasad Acharya at Lok Bhavan and staked claim to form the government in the state, with Himanta Biswa Sarma set to continue as Chief Minister after being elected the alliance’s legislative leader.
The move formalises the formation of a third consecutive NDA government in Assam, where the alliance first came to power in 2016 under then Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal. Sarma, who took over the top post in 2021, is now poised to make history as the only non-Congress leader in the state to serve two consecutive terms as Chief Minister.
Union Minister J P Nadda, appointed as BJP’s central observer, and Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini, the co-observer, accompanied Sarma and other NDA leaders during the meeting with the Governor. Senior leaders from alliance partners Asom Gana Parishad (AGP) and Bodoland People’s Front (BPF) were also present.
“The NDA leaders submitted their claim to form the government. The Governor has received their application, signed by all the three constituent parties,” an official said.
Sarma, while presenting the formal claim, said he had been unanimously elected as the leader of both the BJP legislative party and the NDA in the Assam Assembly. “I have been elected as the BJP legislative party leader. The NDA parties: BPF and AGP, also elected me as their leader. I have the support of 102 MLAs of the NDA. I have the signatures of all of them,” he said.
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The alliance partners also submitted separate letters of support to the Governor. AGP president Atul Bora and BPF leader Rihon Daimari confirmed backing for the NDA government formation.
Earlier in the day, Sarma was elected as the leader of the BJP-led NDA in the Assam Assembly, paving the way for his continued leadership of the state government.
The NDA had secured a decisive mandate in the Assembly elections, winning 102 seats in the 126-member House, its highest ever tally in the state. The BJP won 82 seats, while its allies AGP and BPF secured 10 seats each.
With a comfortable two-thirds majority, the alliance is set to continue its governance in Assam, focusing on development, infrastructure expansion, and consolidation of political stability in the state.
The Governor is expected to invite Sarma to formally take oath as Chief Minister for a second consecutive term on May 12, at 12 noon.
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