Assam will witness faster development under CM Himanta Biswa Sarma’s leadership: State BJP chief

Guwahati, May 12 (IANS) Assam Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) President and Lok Sabha MP Dilip Saikia on Tuesday expressed confidence that the state would witness faster and stronger development under the “visionary and dynamic leadership” of Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma after the swearing-in of the new state government.
Speaking to reporters following the oath-taking ceremony at Khanapara in Guwahati, Saikia described the event as a “historic occasion” not only for Assam but also for the political history of the country.
“The people of Assam have given a massive mandate to the NDA and today’s swearing-in ceremony reflected the aspirations and confidence of the people. Under the strong and farsighted leadership of Himanta Biswa Sarma, Assam will continue its journey of development with greater speed and strength,” the State BJP President said.
The BJP leader said the presence of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union Home Minister Amit Shah, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, several Union Ministers, Chief Ministers and Deputy Chief Ministers from various NDA-ruled states, along with spiritual leaders and lakhs of supporters, made the ceremony memorable.
According to Saikia, the overwhelming public participation in the programme has increased the responsibility of the government towards the people of Assam.
“We are committed to serving the people with greater dedication, humility and efficiency over the next five years. Assam will emerge as one of the leading states of the country while preserving its language, culture, traditions and identity,” he said.
Saikia also reiterated the BJP government’s commitment to protecting Assam from threats such as illegal infiltration.
He said the BJP-led state government would continue taking “strong measures” to make Assam free from illegal Bangladeshi infiltrators, as promised in the party’s manifesto.
The Assam BJP Chief also added that the state government would work for the welfare of youths, women, farmers and all sections of society, including SCs, STs and OBC communities.
On the possible expansion of the state Cabinet, Saikia said discussions were underway and Chief Minister Sarma would take a decision after consultations with party leaders.
He added that the process would likely be completed soon ahead of the upcoming Assembly session beginning later this month.
The BJP-led NDA registered a sweeping victory in the recently concluded Assam Assembly elections, paving the way for Himanta Biswa Sarma to continue as the Chief Minister.
Himanta Biswa Sarma took oath as the Chief Minister of the state for a second consecutive term, as the BJP-led NDA formed the government in Assam for the third consecutive time.
Governor Lakshman Prasad Acharya administered the oath of office and secrecy to Chief Minister Sarma at a grand swearing-in ceremony held at Khanapara in Guwahati in the presence of Prime Minister Modi, Union Home Minister Shah and several top BJP and NDA leaders.
Along with CM Sarma, four Ministers were also sworn into the new Council of Ministers.
Former Union Minister Rameswar Teli, Asom Gana Parishad (AGP) President Atul Bora, Bodoland People’s Front (BPF) leader Charan Boro and senior BJP leader Ajanta Neog took oath as the Ministers in the new Assam government.
–IANS
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