Himanta Biswa Sarma elected as new CM of Assam

Guwahati: Putting an end to all speculations, BJP's lead strategist in northeast and party's senior leader Himanta Biswa Sarma was elected as the next Chief Minister of Assam on Sunday.

Biswa, who currently serves as the Health Minister of Assam was elected the leader of the BJP legislature party by the BJP MLA's at a meeting held at the Assam assembly campus where outgoing Chief Minister Sarbananada Sonowal and party's four central observers were present.

Union Agriculture Minister Narednra Singh Tomar, BJP's National General Secretary Arun Singh, BJP General Secretary (Organisation) B.L. Santhosh and party national Vice-President Baijayant Jay Panda attended the meeting of the newly elected legislators as central observers.

Biswa Sarma who switched to the BJP from the Congress six years ago, is elected from the Jalukbari assembly seat for the fifth time since 2001.

Sunday's meeting in Guwahati was held after the three rounds of meetings at BJP president J.P. Nadda's residence in Delhi, where outgoing Assam Chief Minister Sarbananada Sonowal, Sarma, Union Home Minister Amit Shah and BJP general secretary (organisation) B.L. Santhosh were present.

The saffron party returned to power in Assam for the second consecutive term winning 60 seats while its alliance partners Asom Gana Parishad (AGP) got nine seats and new ally United People's Party Liberal (UPPL) secured six.

Biswa is likely to be sworn in as the Chief Minister of the state on Monday.