Himanta Biswa Sarma

Chief Minister, Assam

Birth DetailsFebruary 1, 1969 | Gandhi Basti, Guwahati

NationalityIndian

LeaguePolitician

EducationMA Political Science, Cotton University; LLB, Government Law College, Guwahati

Himanta Biswa Sarma's Journey so far ...

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)

Last Updated: 26/10/2021

Himanta Biswa Sarma News

Heavy rainfall in Arunchal making flood sitution in Assam critical, says CM Himanta Biswa SarmaAssam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma has declared a critical flood situation in the state due to heavy rainfall in Arunachal Pradesh. The river Brahmaputra and its tributaries are flowing above the danger level, with Dibrugarh in Upper Assam being the worst affected area. The Indian Meteorological Department has issued a warning for heavy rainfall for the next two to three days.
Trans teen expelled from Assam school over bikini pics, Principal claims photos brought 'bad name' to institutionA letter shared by a Guwahati woman to Assam CM Himanta Biswa Sarma highlights a distressing incident involving her 17-year-old transgender daughter. The teenager was forced to leave her school after posting bikini photos on social media, leading to accusations of slander and discrimination by the school principal. The case, which has sparked debates on gender inclusivity and the right to personal expression, is now under review by the Assam State Commission for Protection of Child Rights (ASCPCR).
More farmers in Assam will be included in PM Kisan Samman Nidhi: CM Himanta Biswa SarmaAssam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma thanked Prime Minister Narendra Modi for releasing the 17th instalment of the PM Kisan Samman Nidhi on June 18th, benefiting a total of 9.26 crore farmers nationwide. In Assam alone, Rs 350 crores were disbursed to 17.5 lakh beneficiaries. The PM-KISAN scheme, launched in 2019, provides Rs 6,000 per year to land-holding farmers through Direct Benefit Transfer.
Assam Chief Minister criticizes Deputy Commissioner for extravagant lunch at Cabinet meetingThe lunch menu included plain rice, jeera rice, pulao, mutton curry, special fish curry, fried fish, small fish cooked with ginger, mixed lentil soup, fried small potatoes, fried brinjal, mashed potatoes with mustard oil, sesame seed chutney, pickle, sweet yogurt, and gulab jamun, among 22 other items. Cabinet meetings in Assam are held in different locations by rotation.
Paper leak row: Enraged BJP hits back after Shashi Tharoor takes a jibe at Uttar PradeshSenior Congress leader Shashi Tharoor faced backlash from the BJP-led government in Uttar Pradesh for sharing a meme regarding paper leaks in a national-level examination. The post sparked controversy and criticism from BJP leaders, labeling Tharoor as a 'repeat offender' for his indirect jibe at PM Narendra Modi.
Assam flood situation improves, over 2 lakh hitAssam has seen a decrease in flood cases in eight districts, with over 2,07,500 people affected. The worst hit is Karimganj, with over 1.1 lakh people suffering. The total number of people killed in this year's flood, landslide, and storm is 39. Union Home Minister Amit Shah has suggested the creation of at least 50 large ponds in the northeast region to divert Brahmaputra river water, aiming to tackle floods and develop agriculture, irrigation, and tourism.
Manipur CM Biren Singh meets Assam CM Himanta Biswa Sarma to discuss security concernsSources said that chief Ministers focused on enhancing coordination among their respective police forces to effectively counter militant activities along the border. Measures to prevent the spillover of ethnic violence from Manipur into Assam.
No construction shall start in proposed Maa Kamakhya Temple Access Corridor until IIT clearance: Assam govt to Gauhati HCThe Assam government informed the Gauhati High Court that no construction will commence in the proposed 'Maa Kamakhya Temple Access Corridor' until necessary clearances are obtained from IIT Guwahati and other relevant agencies. This statement came in response to a writ petition challenging the project, citing potential ecological risks from extensive demolition and reconstruction.
Assam CM Himanta Biswa Sarma bats for starting Skill University Academic session from July 2025Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma visited the construction sites of Assam Skill University, Mangaldai Bypass, and Darrang Medical College & Hospital. He expressed concern over the slow progress of the projects and directed authorities to expedite completion. The Mangaldai Bypass on NH15 will enhance road connectivity between West Bengal, Assam, and Arunachal Pradesh. The Assam Skill University aims to offer modern skill education, while the Darrang Medical College & Hospital will provide healthcare facilities and medical education.
Assam CM Himanta Biswa Sarma takes over health department in cabinet reshuffle after Lok Sabha pollsAssam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma has reshuffled some departments following the recent Lok Sabha polls. He has taken over the Health and Family Welfare Department from Keshav Mahanta, who previously handled the health portfolio. Mahanta will oversee Transport, Excise, and Fisheries departments.
Assam CM reviews progress of Rs. 375 crore Mother & Child Hospital wing at GMCHAssam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma visited Gauhati Medical College & Hospital to review the construction of the new Mother & Child Hospital wing, costing Rs. 375 crores. This eight-floor facility aims to address the rising number of maternal and pediatric cases. During a meeting with health officials, Sarma discussed faculty recruitment and capacity expansion. He highlighted that 70% of the construction is complete, with the rest expected by April 2025. Sarma also emphasized improving healthcare access and transitioning to solar energy for hospital operations.
BJP's Chouhan, Bhupendra, Vaishnaw, Pradhan, Deb, Sarma and Reddy get 'election duty'BJP's early appointments for the assembly polls come after its relatively poor performance in 2024, vis-a-vis 2019 Lok Sabha polls, in Maharashtra, Haryana and Jharkhand. BJP could win only nine Lok Sabha seats in Maharashtra, compared to 23 it won in 2019. NDA's total tally is 17 out of 48 in the state. Deputy chief minister Devendra Fadnavis and Bhupendra Yadav have worked together for the Bihar assembly elections. Yadav was the party in-charge while Fadnavis was made election in-charge of the state.
BJP announces leaders in charge for upcoming state Assembly electionsBJP national President J P Nadda announced leaders in charge and co-incharge for upcoming Assembly elections in Maharashtra, Haryana, Jharkhand, and Jammu and Kashmir. Bhupender Yadav and Ashwini Vaishnaw to lead in Maharashtra, Dharmendra Pradhan and Biplab Kumar Dev in Haryana, Shivraj Singh Chouhan and Himanta Biswa Sarma in Jharkhand, and G Kishan Reddy has been given the responsibility for Jammu and Kashmir.
Assam: Janata Bhawan solar project inaugurated; becomes first civil secretariat in India to rely fully on solar powerChief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma inaugurated the Janata Bhawan Solar Project, a 2.5-Mw power generation capacity grid connected rooftop and ground-mounted solar PV system. The project will generate an average of 3 lakh units of electricity monthly, with an investment of Rs. 12.56 crore expected to be recovered within four years. The project will make the Assam Secretariat Complex the first civil secretariat in the country to rely entirely on solar generated electricity for daily consumption.
Three new commando battalions deployed in Kaziranga National Park to protect animalsThe Chief Minister took stock of the loss of land of the Kaziranga National Park primarily due to swift flow of river water. He said that as a result of this, a sizeable chunk of the forest land of the park has been lost. In view of this, he announced that a joint task force will be formed taking experts from Forest Department, Water Resources Department and the Kaziranga National Park to study the phenomena and recommend remedial steps. The team will submit its report within 45 days to the government. Based on the recommendations, the government will take appropriate steps to address the menace of soil erosion in the park.
Construction of 1,000-Mw Solar Power Project in Karbi Anglong will begin shortly: Assam CM Himanta Biswa SarmaAssam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma announced the upcoming construction of a 1,000-MW Solar Power Project in Karbi Anglong. This comes after the laying of the foundation stone for a 25-MW solar power generation project at the Namrup Thermal Power Station in Dibrugarh district. The joint venture between Assam Power Generation Corporation and Oil India Limited will cost Rs. 115 crores and is expected to produce 50 million units of electricity annually upon completion in July 2025.
First day in office: Arunachal CM Pema Khandu signs file approving release of funds to the tune of Rs 100 crore under CMSSSPema Khandu, the Chief Minister of Arunachal Pradesh, took oath for the third consecutive term in Itanagar. He approved Rs 100 crore under the CMSSS, benefiting 80000 beneficiaries. The oath ceremony was attended by several dignitaries including BJP leaders.
Assam government introduces monthly monetary support for girl students to combat child marriageThe scheme aims to increase the Gross Enrolment Ratio beyond matriculation, disburse benefits via DBT, and provide financial grants under the Anundoram Borooah Scheme for students scoring over 75% marks.
Assam announces monthly stipend for girls pursuing higher education to curb child marriageAssam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma introduced the 'Nijut Moina' scheme, offering monthly stipends to girls from class 11 to post-graduation to deter child marriages. The scheme has been launched with an estimated Rs 1,500 crore allocated over five years for around 10 lakh girls, excluding married girls unless enrolled in post-grad programs. The initiative aims to promote financial independence and education, providing varying amounts based on academic level.
Centre likely to invest Rs 1,000 cr for new IIM's construction in Assam, says CM Himanta Biswa SarmaAssam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma announced that the Centre is set to invest Rs. 1,000 Crore for the construction of a new Indian Institute of Management (IIM) in Assam. The proposed site for the IIM is located in the Marabhita and Dighalkuchi localities in Kamrup district, marking the second IIM in the Northeastern region after IIM Shillong in Meghalaya.
'An Assam act kept most Christians away from voting for NDA'Assam chief minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Tuesday said that a particular religion has not voted for NDA in Nagaland, Meghalaya and Manipur.
Ayodhya, Ram Lalla: I prayed that Modi Ji's next term should be very well, says Assam CM HimantaAyodhya, Uttar Pradesh: Assam CM Himanta Biswa Sarma says, "... I wanted to do Ram Lalla's 'darshan' for many days... Today, I am happy to come here... I prayed that Modi Ji's next term should be very well, Assam and the whole country should be very well... In the history of India, this is the first time that any prime minister will take the PM's oath for the third time. This is historic... We are moving towards a golden India under the leadership of Narendra Modi... Congress has no accountability that even after 10 years, why they could not reach even 100... Had I been in Congress, I would have held the Gandhi family accountable... Just to make sure that they are not answerable, some people are running propaganda and celebrating for a party that has lost..."Ayodhya, Ram Lalla: I prayed that Modi Ji's next term should be very well, says Assam CM Himanta
Himanta Biswa Sarma on why he did not campaign in Northeast India for Lok Sabha pollsAssam CM Himanta Biswa Sarma did not campaign in Northeast India during Lok Sabha polls as he focused on Eastern India. He mentioned a particular religion not voting for NDA in Nagaland, Meghalaya, and Manipur.
Assam government increases petrol prices by Rs 1.02 per litre, Diesel by Rs 1.01 a litreAssam government has raised petrol prices by Rs 1.02 per litre and diesel prices by Rs 1.01 Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma stated that the state's fuel prices are Rs. 7 lower than West Bengal's, making them among the most affordable in India. He emphasising that despite the recent increase, prices remain lower than in neighboring states.
Will have to invest time and put in lot of effort if he contests from Jorhat assembly seat in 2026 assembly polls: SarmaJorhat assembly seat- Will have to invest time and had to give lot of time and put in lot of effort if he contests from Jorhat assembly seat in 2026 assembly polls and party will have to see if so, much time can be given by the chief minister in a constituency-Assam chief minister Himanta Biswa Sarma
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