BJP-led alliance stakes claim, Governor invites Sonowal to form government

Developing Assam into one of top five states our goal, says CM-desigte

By Our Staff Reporter

Guwahati, May 22: Governor PB Acharya today invited Sarbanda Sonowal to form the new government in Assam. This after Sonowal, along with elected MLAs of the BJP and its alliance partners AGP and BPF, met the Governor and staked claim to form the government.

Sonowal was accompanied by senior Bharatiya Jata Party leader Ram Madhav, Union minister Thawar Chand Gehlot, Asom Ga Parishad (AGP) president Atul Bora and Bodoland Peoples’ Front (BPF) chief Hagrama Mohilary, among others.

Sonowal handed over to the Governor a list of 60 BJP legislators who unimously supported him as their leader in the house.

Similarly, the AGP and BPF leaders handed over letters of support to the BJP to form the government.

The combined strength of the BJP, AGP and BPF is 86 in the 126-member house.

The Governor asked Sonowal to work for the immediate completion of works related to NRC update. He also asked the CM-desigte to improve the overall security scerio, identify and deport illegal immigrants, strengthen relations between tribal and non-tribal people, improve the education sector and production and distribution of electricity as well as to increase the means of connectivity.

The Governor called for development on all fronts including in the rural areas and said that all developmental activities should reach the common man equitably.

Earlier in the day, Sonowal was unimously elected leader of the BJP legislature party at a meeting attended by party MLAs and senior leaders. Senior leader Om Mathur and Union Social Justice and Empowerment minister Thawar Chand Gehlot were present at the meeting as the party’s central observers.

Sonowal’s me as the leader was proposed by Jalukbari MLA Himanta Biswa Sarma and it was supported by five other legislators – AC Jain, Prashanta Phukan, Bhabesh Kalita, Angoorlata Deka and Atul Bora.

Sonowal told the gathering that his goal will be to make Assam one of the five top developed states in the country. “We will write a new history for the State. We will have to work to protect the rights of the indigenous people,” he said.

“Though I have been elected as the leader, I would work like one among you. When I met the Prime Minister, he told me that the people of Assam have given us a chance to serve them. He told me that it is a big challenge and asked me to work sincerely and with utmost honesty,” he said.

“The people of Assam have not only given a historic mandate to the BJP but lso entrusted us with a lot of responsibility. Everyone has to work together leaving aside petty and persol interests so that the people’s expectations can be fulfilled,” Sonowal said.

Later, Sonowal, accompanied by senior party leader Ram Madhav, went to acting Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi’s official residence and invited him to the swearing-in ceremony slated for May 24. Gogoi said he would attend the ceremony.