Himanta Biswa Sarma thanks Amit Shah for giving 'privilege' to join BJP

GUWAHATI: A day after he announced his decision to join BJP, dissident Congress leader Himanta Biswa Sarma today expressed his gratitude to BJP President Amit Shah for giving him the "privilege" to join the party.

"I express my deep gratitude to BJP President Amit Shahji for giving me the privilege to join the party and serve the people of Assam under the strong and vibrant leadership of our Prime Minister Narendra Modi," Sarma said in a Facebook message.

"I'm truly overwhelmed and deeply humbled by such warm and positive messages, comments, calls and mails pouring in since yesterday," he added.

Sarma, once a close associate of Assam Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi, had met Shah at New Delhi yesterday where it was decided that he would join the party soon after completing all the necessary formalities in Guwahati.

The former health and education minister had resigned from the Gogoi cabinet last year following differences with the Chief Minister.

Sarma has been grilled by the CBI in connection with the Saradha scam and his name has also cropped up in connection with the Louis Berger bribery case.

Sarma had also posted in FaceBook last night that he would formally join the BJP following massive calls from people across Assam hailing from all communities.

"I will be formally joining the BJP for a resurgent Assam and Northeast under the vibrant leadership of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modiji," he said.

He also urged "all to join hands for a Resurgent Assam and Northeast".