Himanta Biswa Sarma
Chief Minister, Assam- An alumnus of Guwahati's prestigious Cotton College (now Cotton University), Himanta Biswa Sarma completed his post-graduation in political science from the institution
- From his early days in college, he was involved in student politics. He was the general secretary of the Cotton College Union Society from 1991 to 1992. After his master’s, he attended Government Law College in Guwahati from where he obtained an LLB degree. Sarma practised law till 2001
- In the early 1980s, he took part in the anti-foreigner's stir in Assam, along with All Assam Students' Union (AASU) leaders Prafulla Kumar Mahanta and Bhrigu Kumar Phukan. His activities were noticed by then Congress chief minister Hiteswar Saikia, who mentored him
- In 1996, he first contested from the Jalukbari Assembly constituency on a Congress ticket but lost to his mentor Bhrigu Phukan before bouncing back five years later
- The then chief minister Tarun Gogoi appointed the debutant MLA as a minister for agriculture, planning and development. Sarma became Gogoi’s main troubleshooter
- He was the main campaigner for the 2011 Assembly elections and was a cabinet minister in Gogoi's second term, when he emerged as a de facto CM
- In spite of an anti-incumbency wave in 2011, Gogoi came back to power for a third consecutive term with the help of Sarma's political skills and acumen, for which he was rewarded with plum portfolios
- With the success, an ambitious Sarma started eyeing the chief minister's post and even camped in Delhi to lobby with the party's top leadership. This led to a wide rift within the Assam Congress and he was sidelined in the party
- In 2015, he resigned from all government posts, the Congress and also as an MLA. Within a few months, he was welcomed to the BJP by then party president Amit Shah and made the Convenor of Assam BJP's Election Management Committee
- Sarma, along with then BJP state president Sarbananda Sonowal, scripted history when the party won the 2016 Assembly elections. The duo was responsible for routing the Congress and establishing the first BJP government in Assam
- Apart from holding key portfolios, like health and finance, in the Sonowal ministry, he was made the convenor of the North East Democratic Alliance (NEDA), the NDA's coalition in the region. Sarma was tasked to ensure similar victories in other North Eastern states
- He came out with flying colours over the next five years and became the blue-eyed boy of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah. In the 2019 Lok Sabha polls, NDA won 19 seats out of 25 in the Northeast
- In the 2021 Assembly polls, he retained the Jalukbari seat and beat his nearest rival by over 1 lakh votes. Top leadership of the BJP appointed him as the head of the party in Assam and on May 10, he was sworn-in as the 15th Chief Minister of the state
- Under his leadership, the Assam government introduced policies such as Ethanol Production Promotion and Wildlife Conservation
- When there were widespread protests in Assam against the Citizenship Amendment Act, Sarma took to the streets and toured every nook and corner of the state to espouse the cause of CAA
Before you go ...
- During the Covid-19 crisis, he received praise from several quarters for his successful handling of the pandemic in the state
- During campaigning for the Assembly polls, he received flak when he said there was no need to wear masks as there was no Covid in Assam
- In an effort to curb poaching and create awareness of the endangered one-horned Indian rhinoceros, Sarma burnt rhino horns, a coveted item among poachers
- In Assam and other North Eastern states, the youth call him Mama (Uncle)
Himanta Biswa Sarma News
The Assam government is considering stricter Aadhaar card issuance rules for adults to curb illegal immigration from Bangladesh. Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma stated that thorough verification will be conducted, with District Commissioners authorised to approve issuance.
Union Minister Hardeep Singh Puri announced that ONGC successfully capped the crude oil well blowout in Assam's Sivasagar district after 16 days of gas leakage. The capping of Well No RDS 147A was completed safely without any injuries, casualties, or fire. Around 350 families were evacuated from nearby areas as a precautionary measure following the June 12th incident.
Assam strengthens its fight against child marriage. District Child Protection Officers are now Child Marriage Prohibition Officers. They will enforce the Prohibition of Child Marriage Act and related rules. They will also file FIRs under POCSO. This is in addition to existing officers. Assam Police have conducted operations and made arrests. The government aims to eradicate child marriage by 2026.
Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma assessed a site in Dhubri district for a 3400 MW thermal power plant, aligning with Assam's goal of energy self-sufficiency. The project, spurred by the Assam Thermal Power Generation Project Promotion Policy 2025, aims to meet rising energy demands and create employment. Residents will receive rehabilitation grants, and the government seeks cooperation for successful implementation.
Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma is considering establishing a permanent Indian Army base in Dhubri to enhance security following incidents involving beef in religious sites. He reviewed the law and order situation, emphasizing zero tolerance for communal disharmony and the arrest of 150 anti-social elements.
ONGC is mobilizing heavy equipment to cap the Sivasagar crude oil well, leaking gas for 11 days. Residents beyond 500 meters can return home. Rig material removal is underway with international experts. A specialized crane is being deployed for tubing removal, while water blanketing continues for safety.
Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma inaugurated new district jails in Chirang and Baksa, built with significant financial investments to accommodate 500 prisoners each. These jails aim to strengthen the criminal justice system in the Bodoland Territorial Region.
Assam CM Himanta Biswa Sarma expressed disappointment over the Gauhati High Court's order to reinstate 52 officials dismissed in the APSC cash-for-job scam. Sarma affirmed the state government's commitment to merit-based recruitments and announced plans to appeal the High Court's decision in the Supreme Court.
ONGC is intensifying efforts to control the gas discharge from Well RDS#147A in Assam, mobilizing international experts from the USA expected by June 20, 2025. Alternate routes are being developed, and safety measures like water blanketing are maintained. Assam's CM met with ONGC's chairman, assuring support to swiftly control the gas leak and safeguard public and environmental safety.
Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma has urged Union Petroleum Minister Hardeep Singh Puri to intensify efforts to control the gas blowout at ONGC's well in Sivsagar district. Sarma expressed concern over the prolonged incident and its impact on local communities, requesting a more proactive and urgent response from ONGC to restore normalcy and alleviate distress among affected residents.
