Sarbananda Sonowal’s swearing-in Live: Sonowal has become the first Chief Minister of Assam from BJP. Prime Minister Narendra Modi and BJP President Amit Shah are attending the swearing-in ceremony. In an extensive function, CMs from all NDA ruled states were present along with many ministers like Nitin Gadkari, Suresh Prabhu and Venkaiah Naidu. Sonowal took oath along with his ministers, the most prominent among them being Himanta Biswa Sarma, who is also credited for BJP’s historic victory in Assam.
PM Narendra Modi speaks: Simplicity is one of the virtues of Sarbananda Sonowal. A leader belonging to the tribal community, a leader dedicated to serving society will now be the CM of Assam. I am sure he will work tirelessly for the progress of Assam. I want to assure you that the government at the centre believes in competitive federalism. We want all states to progress, and we are working for it. Assam will also never feel the shortage or scarcity of anything.
I urge the people of Assam to also work along with the government for the development of the state. I have always stressed that India’s growth should be balanced and all inclusive, for this the North-east has to develop as well. Assam is a focal point for the development of North-East.
5:07 PM: BJP President Amit Shah says, There are 14 CMs of NDA here, however everyone in BJP is happiest after forming a government in Assam. Two days from now, Modi government will complete two years. This government has worked for the development of the nation. The new Assam government will work for the state’s development. I want to assure the people of Assam that the Centre will focus on the problems of the state.
5:02 PM: MP CM Shivraj Singh Chouhan says, This is a miracle, the people of Assam have scripted history by choosing BJP. I am sure that under the leadership of Sarbananda Sonowal, Assam will create history in development as well.
5:00 PM: Andhra Pradesh CM N. Chandrababu Naidu says, Today I am very happy for the people of Assam. Our PM has shown a lot of interest in North-eastern states. It is his efforts that have led to BJP’s victory. I wish Sarbananda Sonowal all the best. Assam has many resources, I wish the government brings a new life for the people of Assam.
4:58 PM: Punjab CM Parkash Singh Badal says, I would like to congratulate the people of Assam. I hope Assam prospers under Sarbananda Sonowal
4:50 PM: Pallab Lochan Das & Naba Dolay take oath as Ministers of State (Independent charge)
4:44 PM: Keshab Mahanta takes oath in Sonowal’s government
4:42 PM: Chandra Mohan Patowary takes oath in Sonowal’s government
4:40 PM: Parimal Suklabaidya takes oath as minister in Sonowal’s government.
4:33 PM: Himanta Biswa Sarma takes oath as minister in Sonowal’s government.
4:29 PM: Sarbananda Sonowal takes oath as the first BJP CM of Assam
4:25 PM: PM Narendra Modi arrives for the swearing-in ceremony of Sarbananda Sonowal
4:23 PM: BJP puts up massive show of strength. Nitin Gadkari, Jitendra Singh, Rajnath Singh, Venkaiah Naidu, Suresh prabhu attend the ceremony
4:20 PM: BJP veteran leader LK Advani also present at the swearing-in ceremony
4:05 PM: Amit Shah arrives for the swearing-in ceremony of Sarbananda Sonowal
All CMs of NDA-ruled states are expected to attend the ceremony. Ahead of the function, Gujarat CM Anandiben Patel tweeted:
While in Assam, prayed to Maa Kamakhya for the peace, progress & development of Gujarat, Assam & India pic.twitter.com/TLhciZ6DgY
— Anandiben Patel (@anandibenpatel) May 24, 2016
BJP and its alliance partners had won 86 seats in the 126-member Assembly. The elections were held in two phases on April 4 and 11 and results declared on May 19.
Assamese people will get their due rights when illegal migrants are identified and driven out of the state, chief minister-designate Sabananda Sonowal said recently while claiming that development, good governance and security are key issues why BJP was voted to power. (Also read: All about Sonowal’s steady rise to the top)
“When Modi government reached the land settlement with Bangladesh, it was made clear that the border between the two countries will be sealed. It implies that the illegal movement across the border which had continued somehow by now will be stopped. This will preserve the self-respect of a common Assamese,” he said.
Sonowal on May 22 resigned from the Union Council of Ministers. The resignation letter of Sonowal was forwarded by Prime Minister Narendra Modi to the President, who accepted it. (Meet Himanta Biswa Sarma: The man behind BJP’s historic victory)
From student politics to joining AGP, then switching to the saffron party and becoming a Union Minister, BJP’s Chief Ministerial candidate in Assam Sarbanada Sonowal’s journey to the peak has been a steady climb marked by twists and turns.
54-year-old Sonowal’s name as the party’s face came as no surprise as he came with a clean image and no baggage and enjoyed the confidence of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
He was included in the Union Cabinet as the sole representative from the North East, though it left many senior party members from the state none too happy considering that he had joined the BJP only in 2011.
The state unit, however, put up a united front in the elections under Sonowal, who also took charge as the party chief before the polls, to script history as the first state in the North East where the BJP has come to power.
Assam Governor Padmanabha Balakrishna Acharya on Monday dissolved the 13th Assam Assembly with effect from May 21 under powers conferred by the Constitution.
(With inputs from Agencies)
