Assam: Congress MLAs Eyeing BJP Switch Advised to Wait by CM Himanta Biswa Sarma

Guwahati: Congress MLAs who are considering joining the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) were cautioned by Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Sunday to hold off until the beginning of the following year. Sarma said that joining the BJP now could lead to needless by-elections since the state's Assembly elections are set for 2026.

Sarma told the reporters that since the polls are less than a year and a half away, the MLAs should wait until at least February 2024 before changing parties. He did, however, guarantee that lawmakers who wanted to join the BJP would be accepted when the time was right.

The establishment of a Barak Valley Development Department to concentrate on the development of southern Assam was also authorized by the Assam Cabinet, which was led by Sarma. In the districts of Cachar, Hailakandi, and Sribhumi, the new department will seek to enhance governance and generate job opportunities.

To increase farmers' income and promote cleaner fuel options, the Cabinet also approved a production-linked incentive of Rs 2 per liter for three grain-based ethanol manufacturing facilities. A compensation program for the legal heirs or next of kin of inmates who pass away under unusual circumstances was also authorized by the Cabinet.

Four new ministers were inducted into the Assam Cabinet on Saturday: Rupesh Goala, Kaushik Rai, Krishnendu Paul, and Prasanta Phookan. Since Sarma took over as Chief Minister three years ago, this is the first expansion.

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