Himanta Biswa Sarma Resigns as Assam Chief Minister, Frontrunner for Third Term After BJP Landslide

Himanta Biswa Sarma has resigned as Chief Minister of Assam, triggering the formal process of government formation following the Bharatiya Janata Party's decisive victory in the state assembly elections. The resignation, which comes after the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance secured a commanding majority in the 126-seat legislature, positions Sarma as the clear frontrunner to return as Chief Minister for a third consecutive term. While he is widely regarded as the leading contender to head the new administration, the BJP's established history of unexpected leadership choices leaves room for uncertainty as the party's central leadership weighs its final decision in the days ahead.

The Details

The BJP-led NDA alliance won 82 of the 126 Assembly seats in Assam, with the BJP alone securing more than the majority mark of 64 seats for the first time since the party came to power in the state in 2016. In the two previous elections, held in 2016 and 2021, the BJP had won 60 seats on each occasion and was forced to rely on alliance partners to form the government. The 2026 outcome marks the first time the party has achieved an outright majority on its own in the state legislature, significantly reducing its dependence on coalition partners and altering the balance of power within the ruling alliance.

Sarma, who won his Jalukbari constituency by a margin of nearly 90,000 votes, served as the public face and front of the BJP's campaign rather than operating primarily as a backroom strategist. This represented a notable departure from his role in previous elections, where he was widely seen as the architect of the party's strategy while remaining less visible as a direct campaigner. In his victory speech, Sarma declined to take personal credit for the electoral success, stating, "I am also a BJP karyakarta," and attributed the victory to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the party's workers.

The Assam elections were held in a single phase on April 9, 2026, with results declared on May 4, 2026. The BJP-led alliance's victory extended to decisive defeats of several prominent Opposition leaders, including Congress state president Gaurav Gogoi, Leader of the Opposition Debabrata Saikia, and Assam Jatiya Parishad president Lurinjyoti Gogoi. The scale of the win across multiple constituencies has reshaped the political landscape in Assam, leaving the Opposition weakened and fragmented in the new Assembly.

Context

The victory was attributed to a combination of beneficiary schemes, a development agenda, delimitation, organizational strength, and the consolidation of Hindu votes. Throughout the campaign, Sarma emphasized welfare programs, direct benefit transfers, women-centric schemes, and infrastructure projects as central pillars of the government's record and as key reasons for voters to return the alliance to power. The NDA's win cements its third consecutive term in Assam, following victories in 2016 and 2021, and represents a significant consolidation of the BJP's electoral position in the northeastern state. The election result has cemented Sarma's leadership role and reshaped Assam's political dynamics, giving the BJP unprecedented strength in the state legislature and reducing the influence of coalition partners in government formation. With an outright majority for the first time, the party now holds greater control over the composition and direction of the new administration.

What's Next

Oath-taking for the new government is likely around May 12, 2026. While Sarma remains the clear frontrunner for Chief Minister, other names that have surfaced in internal discussions include Ajanta Neog, Ranjeet Kumar Dass, and Biswajit Daimary. The BJP's track record of surprise picks in leadership selections adds a layer of uncertainty to the final outcome as the party's central leadership continues its deliberations. The formal announcement of the next Chief Minister is expected in the coming days as the BJP completes its internal consultation process and finalizes the structure of the new government. Until the decision is announced, the political focus in Assam remains fixed on the party's next move.