BJP sees clear mandate in Assam, Himanta Biswa Sarma set for 2nd term

Elections are over and the wait is now for counting day. With most exit polls predicting a BJP victory in Assam, the party appears confident of returning to power. More than the party, CM Himanta Biswa Sarma and leaders close to him are confident of his return as chief minister. Some BJP leaders in the state feel that this time there is little doubt over the CM's face, with Sarma set for a second stint if the BJP comes back to power.

The counting of votes will take place on May 4. Several BJP leaders point out that Union Home Minister Amit Shah, in a series of rallies, said the BJP would return to power in Assam under the leadership of Sarma.

Also Read: Assam: Congress urges alertness ahead of May 4 count, dismisses exit polls favouring BJP-led NDA


In 2016, BJP projected Sarbananda Sonowal against three-time CM Tarun Gogoi and won 60 seats. In 2021, under Sonowal's leadership, the BJP won 60 seats again in the 126-member Assembly. Prime Minister Narendra Modi, during the 2016 polls, used the slogan "Assam ka Anand Sarbanand" (Assam's pleasure, Sarbanand).

In 2021, it took several days for the BJP leadership to announce the chief ministerial name. A BJP leader, who did not wish to be named, told ET, "There were days of uncertainty and a series of meetings took place in New Delhi, and then the party leadership finally zeroed in on the name of Sarma."