Guwahati, 10 May   

Assam Governor Lakshman Prasad Acharya on Sunday invited Chief Minister-elect Himanta Biswa Sarma to form the next government, paving the way for the NDA's third consecutive term in Assam.

After being unanimously elected leader of the BJP-led NDA's legislature party, Sarma, along with alliance leaders, met the governor at Lok Bhavan and formally staked claim to form the government.

"The Governor has invited Dr Himanta Biswa Sarma to form the new government in Assam," a statement from Lok Bhavan said.

Acharya will administer the oath of office and secrecy to Sarma and members of the new Council of Ministers on 12 May.

The swearing-in ceremony will be held at the Veterinary College Playground in Khanapara and is expected to be attended by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union Home Minister Amit Shah, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and BJP president Nitin Nabin, among others.

The NDA, comprising the BJP, Asom Gana Parishad (AGP) and Bodoland People's Front (BPF), secured a sweeping mandate in the assembly polls, winning 102 seats in the 126-member House. The BJP bagged 82 seats, while AGP and BPF won 10 seats each.

Sarma, who first became chief minister in 2021, is set to become the first non-Congress leader in Assam to serve two consecutive terms as CM.

"I have been elected as the BJP's legislative party leader. The NDA parties, BPF and AGP, also elected me as their leader," he said, while reading out the letter submitted to the governor.

"I have the support of 102 MLAs of the NDA. I have the signature of all of them," he added.

AGP chief Atul Bora and BPF leader Rihon Daimari also submitted letters of support to the governor. This will be the NDA's thirdconsecutive term in the state since the BJP-led alliance first came to power in 2016 under then CM Sarbananda Sonowal.

Union minister JP Nadda and Haryana CM Nayab Singh Saini, who were appointed the BJP's central observer and co-observer, accompanied Sarma and other alliance leaders to Lok Bhavan.

Speaking to reporters, Nadda said the election result reflected public endorsement of PM Modi's development policies.

He also praised the Sarma government for implementing central welfare schemes effectively in Assam.

"In the next five years, the PM will introduce various schemes, which will be implemented in Assam by Himanta Biswa Sarma. We will have a government which is proactive, responsive, accountable and report card-driven," he added.

Earlier in the day, Sarma was elected the leader of the BJP legislature party, in the presence of Nadda and Saini. Eight party MLAs, including Ranjeet Kumar Dass, Ajanta Neog, Ashok Singhal and Pijush Hazarika, proposed Sarma's name as their leader, which was unanimously accepted.

Addressing the meeting, Sarma thanked the people for themandate and said the new government would work with greater vigour for the welfare and development of all sections of society.

"This is a proud moment for the BJP-led NDA after the historic mandate, which was a support of our previous government's good work and the commitment of PM Modi for Assam's development," he said.