Sarbananda Sonowal's oath-taking resembled the euphemism for Mehanta in 80s

GUWAHATI: For many people, the oath-taking ceremony of Assam's first saffron government on Tuesday brought back memories of a similar momentous occasion: the swearing-in of the then AGP student activist Prafulla Kumar Mahanta as CM on December 24, 1985, in the heady days after the Assam Accord was signed.

The agreement and subsequent government formation by the leaders of a six-year agitation against illegal immigration had infused a new energy and hope in the people of the state. Nearly two lakh people had turned up for the swearing-in of Mahanta and his team at the Nehru Stadium, with huge crowds spilling out. Such was the enthusiasm then, that many had started flocking to the stadium days before the event.

"I can't help but recall that day in 1985, when AGP formed the government under Mahanta. I was a college student then. I watched the swearing-in from a treetop because the stadium was packed.Today's event bears many similarities. Many leaders of that movement are now part of the BJP-led government," recalled Dinesh Kalita, 55, a resident of Baihata.

In his 90s, Khaniram Mili of Sivasagar, who said he actively took part in the country's freedom struggle under Mahatma Gandhi, said he turned up at Tuesday's event to express solidarity with " BJP's commitment to Assam's all-round development." "I am a Gandhian and have never supported any political party . I support a government which is committed to the welfare of the people. Past governments drifted away from the ideals of Gandhiji. But when it comes to Sonowal's leadership, we have a lot of hope," Mili said.

On Tuesday, Guwahati, the gateway to the northeast, was dotted with saffron flags, banners, cut-outs of BJP functionaries, with over one lakh supporters descending on the venue of the ceremony, raising victory slogans.

The crowd was so large, in fact, that even VIPs, including Andhra Pradesh CM N Chandrababu Naidu and Union minister Nitin Gadkari, had to walk a while to reach their vehicles.