New Delhi: Assam chief minister Himanta Biswa Sarma expanded his cabinet on Saturday, inducting four more MLAs as ministers. The swearing-in ceremony was held at Srimanta Sankardeva Kalakshetra, with Assam governor Laxman Prasad Acharya administering the oath of office to them.
The newly appointed ministers are Prasanta Phookan, Kaushik Rai, Krishnendu Paul, and Rupesh Goala. The event was attended by the chief minister and other cabinet members. The new ministers, all BJP legislators, include a veteran and three first-time MLAs.
Prasanta Phookan, a BJP veteran, has been representing the Dibrugarh constituency since 2006 and is now a four-time MLA. Rupesh Goala, a first-time MLA from Doom Dooma, hails from the tea tribe community, previously represented by outgoing Tea Welfare and Labour Minister Sanjay Kishan. Kaushik Rai and Krishnendu Paul, first-time MLAs from Lakhipur and Patharkandi respectively, bring fresh representation to the Barak Valley region.
Who got what
The new additions bring Sarma’s council of ministers to 19 members, including representatives from the BJP’s allies—the Asom Gana Parishad (AGP) and the United Peoples’ Party Liberal (UPPL). The reshuffle comes after Sanjay Kishan resigned to pave the way for Goala, while Parimal Suklabaidya stepped down earlier this year following his election to the Lok Sabha from Silchar. Kishan has since been appointed Chairman of the Assam Food and Civil Supplies Department.
“Everyone is praising the progress of Assam under the dynamic leadership of the CM. I am excited that I have gotten this opportunity to work as a member of his Cabinet. I will give my best to serve the people of Assam,” said Rupesh Gowala, while talking to news agency ANI.
CM Sarma congratulated the new ministers, saying, “Looking forward to working with them to fulfil Adarniya Shri Narendra Modi ji’s vision of a Viksit Assam.” A cabinet meeting with the newly inducted members is also scheduled later tonight. The ruling NDA, has 84 members in the 126-member Assam assembly.
