Assam Chief minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Wednesday submitted his resignation to Governor Lakshman Prasad Acharya at Lok Bhawan in Guwahati, following the BJP-led NDA’s landslide victory in the Assembly elections. The Governor has asked him to continue as the “caretaker Chief Minister” until new government is formed.
Sources told NDTV that central observers are expected to arrive by the end of the week, after which the newly elected MLAs will decide on the next Chief Minister. In all likelihood, Himanta Biswa Sarma is set to continue as Assam Chief Minister, top BJP sources in the state said.
Speaking to reporters after submitting his resignation, Sarma said the Governor has accepted his resignation along with his council of ministers. He said the Governor has also allowed the outgoing government to continue in a caretaker capacity until the new Chief Minister and Council of Ministers are appointed.
Sarma expressed gratitude to the Governor for his guidance over the past five years and reiterated the government’s support during the transition period.
On the formation of the next government, Sarma said the party leadership has named senior leaders J P Nadda and Nayab Singh Saini as central observers for Assam to choose the next legislature party leader.
He noted that the leader of the BJP legislature party, who will become the next Chief Minister, is yet to be decided. “The BJP and NDA will return to Lok Bhawan to stake claim to form the government once the legislature party elects its leader,” he said, urging patience as the process unfolds.
He indicated that the swearing-in ceremony is likely to take place after May 11 as invitation has been sent to Prime Minister Narendra Modi to attend the event. According to Sarma, the Prime Minister’s availability after May 11 may determine the final schedule.
He also said that central observers have not yet announced a specific date for the legislature party meeting.