Political News: Himanta Biswa Sarma rules out reshuffle in the council of ministers for at least a year

Despite BJP and its allies winning five seats in recent by polls in Assam, Chief Minister, Himanta Biswa Sarma rules out reshuffle in the council of ministers for at least a year.

Sarma told media persons, “We have a team and there is no possibility of any change in the council of ministers for at least a year.”

The BJP led government in Assam romped back to power for a second consecutive term and in May this year Sarma was sworn in as the chief minister.

Recently BJP won from Bhawanipur, Thowra in Mariani seats, BJP’s ally United People’s Party Liberal (UPPL) won from Gossaigaon and Tamulpur.

The three candidates fielded by BJP were turncoats two from the Congress and one from the All India United Democratic Front (AIUDF).

The ruling BJP is expecting a couple of more seats to go to by-polls in Assam.

Re-elected MLA Phanidhar Talukdar, Rupjyoti Kurmi and Sushanta Borgohain are in the race for inclusion in the council of ministers.

In the March-April polls to the 126-member Assam Assembly, the BJP had secured 60 seats. With Tuesday’s win BJP’s tally in the state assembly has gone to 62. Majuli seat was recently vacated and by polls to this seat is yet to be announced.

After being elected to Rajya Sabha uncontested, former Assam chief minister and union minister, Sarbananda Sonowal resigned from Majuli assembly seat.

In the 126-member assembly BJP won 60 seats which is similar to the number it won five years ago. The Asom Gana Parishad won nine seats against 14 seats last time, while the new alliance partner, United People’s Party Liberal, got six seats, one of its MLA died due post COVID complications. In the by polls it won two seats and increased the tally to seven.