GUWAHATI — Following a landslide victory in the 2026 Assembly elections, Dr. Himanta Biswa Sarma officially resigned as the Chief Minister of Assam on Wednesday. Sarma submitted his resignation, along with that of his Council of Ministers, to Governor Lakshman Prasad Acharya at Lok Bhawan, setting the stage for the formation of a new government.
The Governor has accepted the resignation and requested Sarma to continue in a caretaker capacity until the new administration takes office.
The National Democratic Alliance (NDA) secured a historic third term, winning 102 seats in the 126-member Assembly. The election, held on April 9 with results declared on May 4, saw a dominant performance by the BJP and its allies. The BJP emerged as the principal force with 82 seats, while its partners, the Asom Gana Parishad (AGP) and the Bodoland Peoples Front (BPF), secured 10 seats each.
While Sarma is widely anticipated to retain his position as Chief Minister, the formal leadership decision will be finalized during an upcoming meeting of the BJP legislature party, attended by central observers.
Speaking to reporters, Sarma confirmed that the swearing-in ceremony is scheduled for May 12.
“Given the historic nature of this win, we have invited Prime Minister Narendra Modi to grace the occasion,” Sarma stated.
In a significant shift for the state’s legislative dynamics, the Indian National Congress (INC) may lose the official status of Leader of the Opposition. Having secured only 19 seats, the party falls short of the mandatory 22-member threshold (one-sixth of the house) required for the formal recognition of the role.
While individual parties will still appoint their own legislative floor leaders, the 16th Assam Assembly could potentially operate without a formally recognized Leader of the Opposition.
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