Preparations are in full swing in Guwahati as Assam prepares to welcome the BJP-led NDA government for a historic third consecutive term. Caretaker Chief Minister and CM-elect Himanta Biswa Sarma has indicated that the new state cabinet will likely consist of 18 to 19 ministers. With Prime Minister Narendra Modi and top Union leaders scheduled to attend tomorrow’s swearing-in ceremony, the political atmosphere in the state has reached a fever pitch.
Addressing the media on Monday, Himanta Biswa Sarma revealed that while the final names are already under consideration, the official list will be finalized following discussions with BJP national leadership tonight. The CM-elect noted that the selected MLAs would only be informed of their ministerial berths at 7:00 AM on Tuesday, just hours before the ceremony begins. The formal induction is set to take place at 11:00 AM in the presence of a high-profile audience, including Home Minister Amit Shah and Defence Minister Rajnath Singh.
The event is expected to be a massive show of strength for the NDA, with Chief Ministers and Deputy Chief Ministers from 22 states confirmed to attend. In a notable gesture of regional cooperation, the Chief Minister of Mizoram is also expected to be present. Beyond political figures, the ceremony will host foreign ambassadors, religious heads, and thousands of grassroots party workers, as the state BJP has announced that the event will remain open to the general public.
Following the festivities, the new administration is set to hit the ground running. Sarma confirmed that regular office functioning will formally commence on May 13. The government’s roadmap for the next five years will be centered on the commitments made in the election manifesto, focusing on infrastructure and regional development. As the city prepares for the arrival of Prime Minister Modi tonight, all eyes are on Guwahati for the beginning of this new legislative chapter.
