New Delhi, May 1: As the results of the assembly elections are set to be announced, Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma is aiming for more than just victory. His goal is to break the 60-seat barrier and secure a full majority for the BJP on its own for the first time.
When the BJP came to power in Assam in 2016, it formed the government with the support of its two main allies, the Assam Gana Parishad and the Bodoland People’s Front. In the 126-member assembly, the BJP won 60 out of the 89 seats contested in alliance with its partners, garnering approximately 29.51% of the total vote share. This was a significant increase compared to the five seats it had previously won.
Meanwhile, the Assam Gana Parishad contested 30 seats and secured 14, with a vote share of about 8.14%. The Bodoland People’s Front fielded candidates in 13 seats, winning all but one. The Congress party, which contested 122 seats, was reduced to just 26 seats, despite having a vote share of 30.96%.
In 2021, the BJP fell slightly short of a majority again, winning 60 seats but increasing its vote share to 33.21%. The Assam Gana Parishad managed to win only nine out of 29 seats. The United People’s Party Liberal, which did not win any seats in 2016 while allied with Congress, won six seats this time in alliance with the BJP.
Sarbananda Sonowal, the first Chief Minister from the BJP in Assam, was chosen to lead the government but was later called to the Centre and included in the Union Cabinet. Himanta Biswa Sarma became Chief Minister in May 2021 and has successfully led the Assam government and the North-East Democratic Alliance across seven northeastern states.
A notable aspect of his tenure has been a significant ideological shift. In 2015, he left Congress citing disputes over leadership and succession involving ‘family-centric’ figures at the top of the party. He has also criticized the Congress for not prioritizing Assamese identity and regional interests.
Sarma emerged as a powerful strategist within Assam Congress and had hoped to succeed Tarun Gogoi as Chief Minister. He claimed that most Congress MLAs at that time wanted him as the next head of the government, but the central leadership was not willing to promote him, preferring family-centric leadership instead.
After joining the BJP, he became one of the party’s key strategists in the Northeast, asserting that the BJP’s emphasis on “Nation First” and strong security for border states aligns more closely with his vision for Assam. He has successfully presented the issue of illegal immigration as a major concern, addressing local fears regarding Bangladeshi infiltration, which has led to clashes and riots between local populations and Bengali-speaking Muslims.
According to the 2011 census, Assam has 61.50% Hindus and 34.22% Muslims, with some claiming the latter’s numbers have significantly increased. Sarma has used this demographic divide to strengthen the North-East Democratic Alliance, particularly in Assam, where he has referred to Muslims as ‘Miyas’, a term that is generally seen as respectful.
Despite facing accusations of polarization, Sarma has publicly highlighted “peace, harmony, and development” as the three main achievements of his four-year tenure. He has established himself as a decisive and development-focused leader, overseeing infrastructure expansion, digital governance reforms, and social welfare initiatives.
Recent reports of potential changes in the Chief Minister’s position seem based on hypothetical scenarios of discontent within the current government. So far, there is no evidence suggesting that the BJP’s top leadership has internally selected an alternative or formally indicated plans for a change. It remains to be seen what decisions the party’s central leadership will make following the election results announced on Monday.
My name is Ganpat Singh Choughan. I am an experienced content writer with 8 years of expertise in the field. Currently, I contribute to Udaipur Kiran & Daily Kiran, creating engaging and informative content across a variety of categories including technology, health, travel, education, and automobiles. My goal is to deliver accurate, insightful, and captivating information through my words to help readers stay informed and empowered.
