Twelve legislators took oath as ministers in Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma's cabinet on Thursday, expanding the council of ministers to 17. The swearing-in ceremony was held at the state secretariat in Guwahati.
New Faces in the Cabinet
The newly inducted ministers include three fresh faces from the Bharatiya Janata Party: Ashwini Ray Sarkar, Nandini Devi, and Sushanta Borgohain. All three are first-time ministers in the state government. The remaining nine ministers are from the existing roster, who were reallocated portfolios.
Cabinet Strength and Composition
With the addition of 12 ministers, the total strength of the Himanta Biswa Sarma cabinet now stands at 17, including the chief minister. The expansion was widely anticipated after several ministerial positions remained vacant following the previous reshuffle. The new cabinet reflects a balance of experienced legislators and fresh faces, with representation from various regions of the state.
The oath of office was administered by Governor Gulab Chand Kataria. Among those sworn in are senior BJP leaders and allies from the coalition partners. The portfolio allocation is expected to be announced in the coming days.
Political observers note that the expansion aims to strengthen the government's reach ahead of the upcoming assembly elections. The inclusion of women and younger leaders is seen as a strategic move to appeal to diverse voter groups.
The ceremony was attended by senior party officials, MLAs, and supporters. Chief Minister Sarma expressed confidence in the new team, stating that they would work collectively for the development of Assam.
