History repeated in the swearing-in ceremony of Sarbabananda Sonowal in Assam

GUWAHATI: The swearing in ceremony of Assam’s new chief minister Sarbananda Sonowal was a re-run of 1985 when Asom Gana Parishad ( AGP) after the six year long anti-foreigners movement (1979-1985) took over the reign of power.

Instead of Rajbhavan, AGP government of 1985 had decided to take oath in open field promising to build “golden Assam”.One lakh people gathered in Khanapara field on Tuesday for Sonowal’s swearing hoped that the unfulfilled dream of 1985 will be fulfilled and Assam will be corruption free and developed state.

Like his predecessor Prafulla Kumar Mahanta, Sonowal promised that he will free Assam from foreigners, corruption and will usher in era of development for Assam. “Assam has witnessed historic change”.

Ten ministers took oath on Tuesday. The cabinet reflected a blend of experience and newness. Former congress minister and BJP’s poster boy in this election Himanta Biswa Sarma found place in cabinet.

Atul Bora and Keshav Mahanta both from AGP are first time ministers. Parmila Rani Brahma and Rihon Daimary both from Bodoland People's Front (BPF) found place in Sonowal’s cabinet. They were ministers earlier when BPF was ally of Congress post 2014.

Chandra Mohan Patwary senior BJP leader was inducted in the new cabinet. Patwary was minister in 1985 and in 1996 when AGP was in power. Former BJP state unit president Ranjit Dutta and Parimal Suklavidya also found cabinet berth.

Two first timers Pallab Lochan Das and Naba Kumar Doley took oath of office. Pallab a close aide of Himanta moved out of congress afterHimanta quieted congres.

The cabinet including the chief minister can have 19 ministers. The expansion of cabinet will take place later. AGP has sought five berths and BPF is demanding four.

A senior BJP leaders told ET, “We are finalising the departments to be given to ministers. We have not decided yet on the expansion.”