Himanta Biswa Sarma became Chief Minister for a second consecutive term, further solidifying his position as the BJP’s tallest leader in Assam. Sarma has blended regionalism with a nationalist outlook and introduced a distinct brand of politics in the state.
After the BJP won the 2021 Assembly polls, the party leadership faced a difficult choice. While the party had secured victory under then chief minister Sarbananda Sonowal, Himanta Biswa Sarma emerged as a strong contender for the top post.
It took nearly 10 days for the BJP leadership to decide on the chief ministerial face, and Sarma took over as Assam chief minister at the height of the Covid-19 pandemic.
Over the last five years, Himanta, known as a workaholic, evolved into the undisputed leader of the party in Assam and beyond. He was instrumental in bringing visible infrastructural changes to the state. BJP leaders had repeatedly made it clear that Sarma would get a second stint if the party returned to power.
During this period, Sarma also continued to bring several colleagues into the BJP fold. In the run-up to the polls, he courted controversy over his choice of words, but remained unfazed. Just before the elections, he brought in two Congress leaders — Bhupen Kumar Borah and Pradyut Bordoloi. Pradyut was given a ticket within 24 hours of joining the party.