Assam Cabinet expansion on June 5, says CM Himanta Sarma
Guwahati, May 31
Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Sunday announced the expansion of the state Council of Ministers on June 5.
In a post on X, CM Sarma said, "I am pleased to inform that the Council of Ministers of the Government of Assam will be expanded on 5 June 2026."
The National Democratic Alliance (NDA) secured a historic third term on May 4 with a commanding majority of 102 seats in the 126-member Assembly, retaining power in the state for the third consecutive term.
Himanta Biswa Sarma took the oath as the Chief Minister of Assam for his second consecutive term on May 12 at the Veterinary College Ground in Khanapara, Guwahati.
Apart from CM Sarma, Rameswar Teli, Ajanta Neog, Atul Bora, and Charan Boro also took oath as Cabinet Ministers.
Though the Chief Minister did not elaborate on the likely changes or possible inductions into the Cabinet, political circles in Assam have been speculating for several weeks about a reshuffle and expansion in the BJP-led government.
The expansion is expected to fill vacant berths in the Council of Ministers and may also involve the redistribution of portfolios among existing ministers.
Currently, the Cabinet consists of only four ministers apart from Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma.
As per an earlier notification issued by the Governor, senior BJP leader Rameswar Teli has been allocated the departments of Transformation and Development, Labour Welfare, and Tea Tribes and Adivasi Welfare.
The inclusion of Tea Tribes and Adivasi Welfare in Teli's portfolio is being viewed as significant, given the government's continued focus on welfare initiatives for tea garden communities across Assam.
Asom Gana Parishad (AGP) President Atul Bora has been assigned the departments of Panchayat and Rural Development, Implementation of Assam Accord, Border Protection and Development, and Excise.
Political observers see Bora's allocation as crucial, especially in view of the ongoing focus on safeguarding Assam's border areas and implementing clauses of the historic Assam Accord.
Meanwhile, Bodoland People's Front (BPF) leader Charan Boro has been entrusted with the Transport department along with the Welfare of Bodoland.
The allocation is expected to strengthen developmental coordination in the Bodoland Territorial Region and improve transport infrastructure in the state.
Senior BJP leader Ajanta Neog has been given charge of the Women and Child Development and Tourism departments.
Officials said the portfolios would play a key role in the government's plans to expand tourism potential and strengthen social welfare programmes for women and children.
— IANS
Reader Comments
The fact that Ajanta Neog has both Women & Child Development AND Tourism is interesting. Tourism is great for Assam's economy and promoting our culture, but WCD needs focused attention given the state's maternal and child health statistics. Hope she balances both well. And good to see Atul Bora handling Assam Accord implementation - that's a sensitive issue.
Finally! The cabinet has been looking too thin since the swearing-in. Rameswar Teli getting Tea Tribes welfare is a masterstroke - he's from the community and understands their issues first-hand. But I hope they don't just do a reshuffle for the sake of it. Need fresh faces who can deliver on development, not just political heavyweights.
Chara Boro getting Transport and Bodoland welfare makes sense given the need for better connectivity in BTR. The region has huge potential for eco-tourism if roads improve. But my concern is - will this expansion include enough representation from women and younger MLAs? That's where the government needs to show it's serious about inclusive governance.
Historic third term with 102 seats - that's a massive mandate. But with great power comes great responsibility. The expansion on June 5 needs to show the people of Assam that this government is serious about infrastructure, education and healthcare, not just power-sharing among allies. Let's see what fresh faces they bring in.
Hope the expansion includes at least one or two ministers from the Barak Valley region. Southern Assam often feels left out in the state's development narrative. Also, with Atul Bora handling border protection, we need concrete steps on the Bangladesh border fencing issue - it's been dragging for too
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