Guwahati: The newly crowned chief minister of Assam Dr Himanta Biswa Sarma assured that the State government in Dispur would take all necessary steps to fulfill the poll promises made by the Bhartiya Janata Party (BJP) led alliance. Soon after taking oath as the 15th CM on Monday, Sarma also urged the separatist militant outfits of Assam to shun the path of violence. He mentioned Ulfa (Independent) leader Paresh Barua to join the mainstream.
Earlier, in a solemn function held at Shrimanta Shankaradev Kalakshetra in the city, State Governor professor Jagdish Mukhi administered the oath of office to Sarma along with 13 legislators. BJP legislators including the party’s State president Ranjit Kumar Dass, saffron leaders CM Patowary, Parimal Suklabaidya, Ranuj Pegu, Sanjay Kishan, Jogen Mohan, Ajanta Neog, Ashok Singhal, Pijush Hazarika and Bimal Bora also took oath as ministers.
Three legislators belong to BJP ally Asom Gana Parishad (AGP) and United People’s Party Liberal (UPPL) namely Atul Bora, Keshab Mahanta and Urkhao Gwra Brahma too were sworn in as ministers in Sarma’s new cabinet. Both Bora and Mahanta served as ministers in earlier BJP alliance government led by senior saffron leader Sarbananda Sonowal.
BJP national president JP Nadda, DoNER minister Jitendra Singh, Meghalaya chief minister Conrad Sangma, Tripura CM Biplab Deb, Manipur CM N Biren Singh, Nagaland CM Neiphiu Rio, former Assam CM Sonowal, BJP national general secretary Dilip Saikia, party’s organising secretary BL Santosh, national vice-president VaijayantJay Panda, CM Sarma’s mother Mrinalini Devi along with other family members, etc were also present at the swearing-in ceremony.
Sarma, who joined the saffron party after resigning from the Congress, has been representing Jalukbari assembly constituency since 2001. He was initially a trusted minister to veteran congress leader Tarun Gogoi during his tenure as the chief minister. Sarma is presently serving as the North East Democratic Alliance forum as its convenor. Meanwhile, Prime Minister Narendra Modi congratulated Sarma and other ministers for being elevated to respective positions and expressed confidence that they would add momentum to the development process of Assam fulfilling the aspiration of people.
He acknowledged Sonowal’s contributions towards the State’s progress and strengthening the saffron party’s base in the region with pro-people and pro-development administration over the last five years.
