By Assam Chief Minister-designate Himanta Biswa Sarma on Monday said the final shape of the new state cabinet would be decided after discussions with BJP national president Nitin Nabin, who is expected to arrive in Guwahati later in the night.
Speaking to reporters ahead of the swearing-in ceremony, Sarma said consultations with the party leadership were still underway and the final list of ministers would be announced only on Tuesday morning. The BJP leader is set to begin his second consecutive term as Chief Minister, leading the NDA government in Assam once again after the alliance secured a comfortable majority in the Assembly elections.
“Our national president will arrive tonight, and we will hold discussions before finalising the ministry. Such matters are better discussed face-to-face rather than over the phone,” Sarma said.
According to him, the meeting is likely to take place during the journey from Lokpriya Gopinath Bordoloi International Airport to the hotel where Nabin will stay. Sarma added that leaders selected for the cabinet would be informed soon after the discussions are completed.
The oath-taking ceremony of the new government is scheduled to take place at Khanapara in Guwahati on Tuesday and is expected to witness the presence of several top BJP and NDA leaders from across the country.
Sarma said Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union ministers, chief ministers and deputy chief ministers from NDA-ruled states, diplomats, industrialists and religious heads are likely to attend the event. Many of the dignitaries, including the Prime Minister, are expected to arrive in Assam on Monday night.
The BJP-led NDA returned to power in Assam with a strong mandate in the recently concluded Assembly elections. The BJP won 82 seats in the 126-member Assembly, while its allies — the Asom Gana Parishad and the Bodoland People’s Front — secured 10 seats each.
Party leaders say the new government is expected to focus on infrastructure development, investment, welfare schemes and employment generation during its upcoming term.
Sarma also indicated that administrative work under the new government would formally begin from Wednesday, adding that the BJP intends to start implementing key promises mentioned in its election manifesto without delay.
Political observers believe the composition of the new cabinet will be closely watched, particularly in terms of regional representation, alliance balance and inclusion of new faces within the BJP-led coalition.
