Shillong: Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma has expanded his cabinet to 17 members following the induction of 12 new ministers. Governor Lakshman Prasad Acharya administered the oath of office and secrecy to the incoming officials during a ceremony held at the Jyoti-Bishnu Antarjatik Kala Mandir in Guwahati.
The group of new inductees includes four first-time ministers: Nilima Devi from the Mangaldai constituency, Sushanta Borgohain of Thowra, Golakganj representative Ashwini Ray Sarkar, and former Assembly Speaker Biswajit Daimary. They join other cabinet members including Ashok Singhal, Bimal Borah, Jayanta Malla Baruah, Kaushik Rai, Keshab Mahanta, Krishnendu Paul, Pijush Hazarika, and Ranoj Pegu. These appointments bring the cabinet closer to the constitutional limit of 19 ministers for the 126-member assembly.
The current government follows the NDA's recent victory in the state elections, which saw Sarma begin his second consecutive term as chief minister on May 12. The cabinet now reflects a coalition effort, drawing 17 members from the BJP, two from the Asom Gana Parishad, and one from the Bodoland People's Front.
Reflecting on the expansion, Chief Minister Sarma shared his outlook on social media. "Today, the expanded Team Assam took oath of office and secrecy to serve the people of Assam. It's a balanced team which represents the aspirations of all sections of people and their experience and wisdom will further strengthen our resolve of building a Viksit Assam," he stated.
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