Himanta Biswa Sarma

Himanta Biswa Sarma

Chief Minister, Assam
Birth DetailsFebruary 1, 1969 | Gandhi Basti, Guwahati
NationalityIndian
LeaguePolitician
EducationMA Political Science, Cotton University; LLB, Government Law College, Guwahati
Himanta Biswa Sarma's Journey so far ...
  • An alumnus of Guwahati's prestigious Cotton College (now Cotton University), Himanta Biswa Sarma completed his post-graduation in political science from the institution
  • From his early days in college, he was involved in student politics. He was the general secretary of the Cotton College Union Society from 1991 to 1992. After his master’s, he attended Government Law College in Guwahati from where he obtained an LLB degree. Sarma practised law till 2001
  • In the early 1980s, he took part in the anti-foreigner's stir in Assam, along with All Assam Students' Union (AASU) leaders Prafulla Kumar Mahanta and Bhrigu Kumar Phukan. His activities were noticed by then Congress chief minister Hiteswar Saikia, who mentored him
  • In 1996, he first contested from the Jalukbari Assembly constituency on a Congress ticket but lost to his mentor Bhrigu Phukan before bouncing back five years later
  • The then chief minister Tarun Gogoi appointed the debutant MLA as a minister for agriculture, planning and development. Sarma became Gogoi’s main troubleshooter
  • He was the main campaigner for the 2011 Assembly elections and was a cabinet minister in Gogoi's second term, when he emerged as a de facto CM
  • In spite of an anti-incumbency wave in 2011, Gogoi came back to power for a third consecutive term with the help of Sarma's political skills and acumen, for which he was rewarded with plum portfolios
  • With the success, an ambitious Sarma started eyeing the chief minister's post and even camped in Delhi to lobby with the party's top leadership. This led to a wide rift within the Assam Congress and he was sidelined in the party
  • In 2015, he resigned from all government posts, the Congress and also as an MLA. Within a few months, he was welcomed to the BJP by then party president Amit Shah and made the Convenor of Assam BJP's Election Management Committee
  • Sarma, along with then BJP state president Sarbananda Sonowal, scripted history when the party won the 2016 Assembly elections. The duo was responsible for routing the Congress and establishing the first BJP government in Assam
  • Apart from holding key portfolios, like health and finance, in the Sonowal ministry, he was made the convenor of the North East Democratic Alliance (NEDA), the NDA's coalition in the region. Sarma was tasked to ensure similar victories in other North Eastern states
  • He came out with flying colours over the next five years and became the blue-eyed boy of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah. In the 2019 Lok Sabha polls, NDA won 19 seats out of 25 in the Northeast
  • In the 2021 Assembly polls, he retained the Jalukbari seat and beat his nearest rival by over 1 lakh votes. Top leadership of the BJP appointed him as the head of the party in Assam and on May 10, he was sworn-in as the 15th Chief Minister of the state
  • Under his leadership, the Assam government introduced policies such as Ethanol Production Promotion and Wildlife Conservation
  • When there were widespread protests in Assam against the Citizenship Amendment Act, Sarma took to the streets and toured every nook and corner of the state to espouse the cause of CAA


Before you go ...
  • During the Covid-19 crisis, he received praise from several quarters for his successful handling of the pandemic in the state
  • During campaigning for the Assembly polls, he received flak when he said there was no need to wear masks as there was no Covid in Assam
  • In an effort to curb poaching and create awareness of the endangered one-horned Indian rhinoceros, Sarma burnt rhino horns, a coveted item among poachers
  • In Assam and other North Eastern states, the youth call him Mama (Uncle)

Last Updated: 26/10/2021

Himanta Biswa Sarma News

  • Guwahati may host summit-level talks between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi. Assam is seeking Japanese investment again. The state aims to attract Japanese industries and firms. This follows a previous postponement of a Japan-India summit in Guwahati due to protests.
  • Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma has allocated portfolios to twelve new ministers. The chief minister kept key departments like Home and Political. Senior ministers Ranoj Pegu and Ashok Singhal retained their previous portfolios. Jayanta Malla Baruah has been given the Finance Ministry. The expansion brings the cabinet strength to sixteen.
  • Assam's council of ministers has expanded to sixteen with twelve new ministers taking oath. The cabinet includes four new faces and representation from the Bodo community and Barak Valley. This expansion follows the BJP's return to power for a third term. The government aims for regional representation.
  • Assam's council of ministers has expanded to 17 members. Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma inducted 12 new ministers. Governor Lakshman Prasad Acharya administered the oath of office. The new cabinet includes ministers from BJP, AGP, and BPF. This expansion follows the NDA's strong performance in the recent assembly elections.
  • A significant cabinet reshuffle is on the horizon for Assam, scheduled for June 5, 2026, when twelve ministers, including four newcomers, will be sworn in. Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma has disclosed the anticipated list, showcasing the inclusion of two ministers from the BJP's ally, Asom Gana Parishad.
  • Assam's cabinet is set for an expansion on Friday with twelve ministers, including three fresh faces from the BJP: Ashwini Ray Sarkar, Nilima Devi, and Sushanta Borgohain. Keshab Mahanta of AGP and former Speaker Biswajit Daimary are also joining. The remaining ministers are returning from Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma's previous team.
  • Assam is set to become East India's next education hub with progress on IIM Guwahati. Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma also met President Droupadi Murmu, discussing Assam's growth. Discussions with PepsiCo India CEO Jagrut Kotecha focused on expansion. The Chief Minister's visit to the national capital included meetings with industry leaders to attract investments and boost industrial growth in Assam.
  • Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma met with Larsen & Toubro and Bharti Enterprises leaders. Discussions focused on ongoing projects and future investments in infrastructure and telecommunications. The Chief Minister also met NITI Aayog Vice Chairman Dr. Ashok Lahiri. This collaboration aims to accelerate development and improve governance in Assam.
  • Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma met with Union Ministers Manohar Lal Khattar, Mansukh Mandaviya, and Jagat Prakash Nadda to discuss key development initiatives. Discussions focused on achieving energy self-sufficiency, accelerating urbanisation, strengthening sports infrastructure, and transforming Assam into a major healthcare and medical tourism hub.
  • Assam's council of ministers is set for an expansion on June 5, nearly a month after the BJP's decisive election victory. Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, who took oath with four others on May 12, has been in Delhi discussing the cabinet's composition. New faces are expected, with regional representation a key consideration for the 18-member council.

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