Himanta Biswa Sarma Set For Historic Second Consecutive Term In Assam

• By Thetripurapost Desk, Guwahati
• May 12, 2026
• 255

Himanta Biswa Sarma is set to become the first non-Congress Chief Minister of Assam to serve two consecutive terms when he takes oath on Tuesday, May 12, 2026.

The only other non-Congress leader to have served twice as Chief Minister was Prafulla Kumar Mahanta of the Asom Gana Parishad, though his two terms were separated by a five-year gap. Since the end of Mahanta’s second term in 2001, the AGP has largely remained a junior ally of the Bharatiya Janata Party.

Among Congress leaders, three stalwarts served as Assam Chief Minister three times. Bishnuram Medhi and Bimala Prasad Chaliha both held office through two incomplete terms each.

However, Tarun Gogoi remains the only leader to complete three full consecutive terms as Chief Minister, serving from May 2001 to May 2016.

Mr. Sarma’s political mentor, Hiteswar Saikia, served twice as Chief Minister — first during the turbulent years of the Assam Agitation between 1979 and 1986, and later from June 1991 to April 1996.

Expressing gratitude to the people of Assam for renewing their trust in his leadership, Sarma reaffirmed his government’s commitment to reclaiming land from encroachers.

In a post on X, he stated that Assam’s “land, identity and future are non-negotiable.” He said that after reclaiming nearly 1.5 lakh bighas of land from encroachment, the NDA government now aims to free an additional 5 lakh bighas.

Sarma emphasized the slogan “jati, mati, bheti” — referring to community, land and foundation — as the guiding principle of his administration.

The upcoming swearing-in will also mark the third consecutive term for the National Democratic Alliance in Assam since 2016, when Sarbananda Sonowal first led the alliance government in the state.