Guwahati: A former students leader known for its unrelenting crusade against the vexed problem of illegal migration from Bangladesh, Sarbananda Sonowal (54) on Tuesday took oath of office and secrecy as the chief minister of the first BJP-led government in Assam before a massive gathering and a galaxy of dignitaries led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi at Veterinary College Ground here on Tuesday afternoon.
Ten ministers including two each from allies Asom Gana Parishad (AGP) and Bodoland People’s Front (BPF) too were administered oath of office and oath of secrecy by the Governor P B Acharya in the function that was attended by senior BJP leader L K Advani, Union Home minister Rajnath Singh, a host of union ministers, chief ministers of all NDA-ruled state including Punjab chief minister Prakash Singh Badal, Haryana chief minister Manohar Lal Khattar among others.
Outgoing Assam chief minister Tarun Gogoi was also sitting on the dais with other dignitaries. A large number of spiritual leaders of the country including heads of vashnavite monasteries in Assam graced the occasion.
The 10 ministers are : Dr Himanta Bishwa Sarmah (BJP, cabinet rank), Atul Bora (AGP, cabinet rank), Promila Rani Brahma (BPF , cabinet rank), Parimal Suklavaidya (BJP, Cabinet rank), Chandra Mohan Patowary (BJP, cabinet rank), Keshab Mahanta (AGP, cabinet rank), Ranjit Dutta (BJP, cabinet rank), Rihon Daimary (BPF, cabinet rank), Naba Kumar Doley (BJP, MoS independent charge ) and Pallab Lochan Das (BJP, MoS independent charge). The rest eight ministerial berths will be filled up later.
Taking oath as the chief minister, Sarbananda Sonowal promised social security and economic prosperity to all while pursuing his goal to make Assam a frontline developed state free of illegal migrants, corruption and pollution.
He dedicated the historic win of the BJP and its allies to the martyrs of Assam Agitation against illegal migration and those from Sangh Parivar who had laid down their lives at the altar of the country.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi in his address said Assam would be the pivot in the BJP-led NDA government’s efforts for expeditious implementation of the Act East Policy and said that the eight (Asta Lakshmi) Northeastern states had tremendous potential to expedite country’s growth.
He expressed his gratitude to the people of Assam for giving such a historic mandate to the BJP and its allies.
He said the entire tribal population in the country could take pride in dynamic and young Sarbananda Sonowal (a tribal) who has proved himself to be a leader capable of accomplishing his task with great elan and simplicity.
Addressing the occasion, BJP president Amit Shah saluted the people of Assam for giving a landmark mandate to the BJP and its allies and promised on behalf of the party that there would be no lack of resources and goodwill on part of the BJP government in the Centre for facilitating rapid development in Assam.
Punjab chief minister, Prakash Singh Badal in his brief address congratulated the new BJP-led government and the people of Assam for facilitating this historic occasion today. Andhra Pradesh chief minister Chandrababu Naidu exuded confidence that the historic mandate would help the new government to script new chapter of development for resourceful Assam.
It happened to be only second occasion when an elected government took oath of office under open sky before a public gathering in Assam.
Last time it happened in 1985 when the first elected government of the regional Asom Gana Parishad (AGP) took oath before people of Assam in Guwahati after signing the historic Assam Accord with Government of India as culmination of Assam Agitation against illegal migration from Bangladesh.
