Guwahati: The BJP national leadership on Saturday appointed the Union minister of state (Independent
charge) for Youth Affairs and Sports, Sarbananda Sonowal as the president of party’s Assam state unit
replacing Siddhartha Bhattacharrya.
Former Congress minister in Assam, Dr Himanta Bishwa Sharma who joined the BJP September this year, has been given a key position in the state BJP too.
He has been made the convenor of the state election committee in Assam who is going to play a key role in steering the party during the polls. Sharma has been apparently rewarded for bringing in nine more Congress MLAs to the BJP fold besides many Congress workers all over the state.
Sonowal had led the BJP as its President of Assam state unit to astounding victory during the last Lok Sabha polls.
The party won seven out of the 14 Lok Sabha constituencies in Assam during the parliamentary polls.
He had to quit as the state BJP chief after he was made a minister in the BJP-led NDA government.
Outgoing state BJP president Siddhartha Bhattacharya, whose term ended in October-end, has been made the spokesman of the BJP for the Northeastern region.
Sonowal was the president of the influential All Assam Students’ Union (AASU), before he joined the active politics in the state.
He first joined the regional Asom Gana Parishad (AGP) and went on to become an MP before he shifted allegiance to the BJP.
Sonowal while expressing his gratitude to the Central BJP leadership for entrusting him with the responsibility of Assam BJP president before the crucial Assembly election in the state and pledged to lead the party as a unit.
Former Union minister and senior BJP leader Bijoya Chakraborty, MP, and another senior party MP from Assam Ramen Deka expressed hope that the combination of Sarbananda Sonowal and Dr Himanta Bishwa Sharma would be a boon for the party in poll-going Assam.
