Guwahati, May 10 (IANS) Union Minister and former BJP national president J. P. Nadda on Sunday announced that Himanta Biswa Sarma has been unanimously elected as the leader of the BJP legislature party in Assam, paving the way for him to take oath as Chief Minister for a second consecutive term.

The decision was taken during a meeting of newly elected BJP legislators in Guwahati in the presence of central observers appointed by the party leadership.

The BJP had appointed J.P. Nadda and Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini as central observers for the election of the BJP legislature party leader in Assam.

Soon after the meeting, Nadda formally announced Sarma’s name and said the legislators had unanimously reposed faith in his leadership.

The BJP’s alliance partners — Asom Gana Parishad and Bodoland People’s Front also extended their support to Sarma continuing as the Chief Minister for a second term.

Senior leaders of both parties attended the meeting and expressed confidence in Sarma’s leadership, stating that the NDA alliance in Assam would continue to work together for the development of the state.

Sarma, who first became the Chief Minister of Assam in 2021, has emerged as one of the BJP’s most influential leaders in the Northeast. He took over the top post after the BJP retained power in the state Assembly elections five years ago.

Before joining the BJP in 2015, Sarma was a senior Congress leader and served as a minister in the Congress government led by former Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi.

After switching sides, he played a key role in strengthening the BJP across the Northeast region. Under his leadership, the BJP expanded its political footprint in Assam and consolidated its alliance with regional parties.

Sarma will take the oath as the Chief Minister on May 12, along with members of his new Council of Ministers.

The BJP, a part of the NDA, alone won 82 seats in the 126-member House in the recently held elections in Assam.

–IANS

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