Guwahati witnessed a significant political development on Friday as the Assam Cabinet expanded with the induction of 12 new Members of Legislative Assembly (MLAs) as ministers, bringing the total strength of the Council of Ministers to 17.

The expansion, which took place less than a month after the formation of the new government, aims to strengthen governance and ensure broader representation across regions and communities in the state.

What was announced

Assam Governor Lakshman Prasad Acharya administered the oath of office and secrecy to the 12 newly inducted ministers at a ceremony held at the Jyoti-Bishnu Antarjatik Kala Mandir in Guwahati on June 5, 2026, at 12:45 PM.

Of the 12 new ministers, 11 belong to the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and one is from its ally, the Asom Gana Parishad (AGP). Four of these inducted ministers are new faces in the state cabinet: Ashwini Ray Sarkar, Biswajit Daimary, Nilima Devi, and Susanta Borgohain. Eight others, including Ashok Singhal, Bimal Borah, Jayanta Mallabaruah, Kaushik Rai, Krishnendu Paul, Pijush Hazarika, Ranoj Pegu (all BJP), and Keshab Mahanta (AGP), have prior experience as ministers.

Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, who was present at the ceremony, had earlier announced the names of the legislators to be sworn in via a social media post. This expansion follows the initial swearing-in of Chief Minister Sarma and four other ministers on May 12, 2026.

Why it matters

The cabinet expansion is a crucial step in the formation of the new government, bringing the Council of Ministers to 17 members, just two short of the constitutional maximum of 19 for Assam’s 126-member Assembly. Chief Minister Sarma described the new team as “balanced,” stating that it “represents the aspirations of all sections of people” and will “further strengthen our resolve to build a Viksit (developed) Assam.”

The expanded ministry demonstrates a conscious effort to ensure regional and ethnic balance. It includes two representatives from the Barak Valley (Kaushik Rai and Krishnendu Paul), two from the Bodo community (BPF’s Charan Boro, sworn in earlier, and BJP’s Biswajit Daimary), and representation from the Mising tribe (Ranoj Pegu), Koch Rajbongshi community (Ashwini Ray Sarkar), and Ahom community (Susanta Borgohain). Nilima Devi is one of two women ministers in the cabinet, alongside Ajanta Neog, maintaining female representation.

Political observers view this expansion as a strategic move to consolidate the ruling alliance’s governance and development agenda, especially after the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) secured a commanding mandate in the recent Assembly elections.

Background

The BJP-led National Democratic Alliance swept the April 9, 2026, Assam Assembly elections, winning 102 seats in the 126-member State Assembly. The BJP alone secured 82 seats, while its allies, the Asom Gana Parishad (AGP) and the Bodoland People’s Front (BPF), won 10 seats each.

Following this decisive victory, Himanta Biswa Sarma took oath as Chief Minister for his second consecutive term on May 12, 2026, at the Veterinary College Ground in Khanapara, Guwahati. Initially, four other ministers were sworn in alongside him: Rameswar Teli and Ajanta Neog (BJP), Atul Bora (AGP), and Charan Boro (BPF). The Chief Minister had indicated in May 2026 that the cabinet expansion would take place in the first week of June, after the assembly session and consultations with the party’s central leadership.

The previous Sarma ministry, which was in office from May 10, 2021, until May 11, 2026, also saw several reshuffles and inductions, reflecting the dynamic nature of government formation and representation in Assam.

Key details

The 12 legislators who took oath as Cabinet Ministers on June 5, 2026, are:

  • Ashwini Ray Sarkar (BJP)
  • Ashok Singhal (BJP)
  • Bimal Borah (BJP)
  • Biswajit Daimary (BJP)
  • Jayant Mallabaruah (BJP)
  • Kaushik Rai (BJP)
  • Keshab Mahanta (AGP)
  • Krishnendu Paul (BJP)
  • Nilima Devi (BJP)
  • Pijush Hazarika (BJP)
  • Dr. Ranoj Pegu (BJP)
  • Susanta Borgohain (BJP)

The Chief Minister, Himanta Biswa Sarma, retained key portfolios including Home and Political, Public Works Department (Buildings and National Highways), Public Works Department (Roads), Power, Information and Public Relations, Printing and Stationery, and any departments not specifically allotted to other ministers.

Portfolio allocations for the newly inducted ministers were announced on June 8, 2026. Jayanta Mallabaruah was entrusted with the Finance, Environment and Forest, and Mines and Minerals departments. Ashok Singhal retained Health and Family Welfare, and Medical Education and Research. Dr. Ranoj Pegu continued to oversee School Education, Higher Education, Tribal Affairs (Plain), and Information Technology.

Other significant allocations include:

  • Bimal Borah: Cultural Affairs, Industries, Commerce and Public Enterprises, and Act East Policy Affairs.
  • Biswajit Daimary: Handloom, Textiles and Sericulture, Sports and Youth Welfare, Skill, Employment and Entrepreneurship, and Indigenous and Tribal Faith and Culture.
  • Kaushik Rai: Food, Public Distribution and Consumer Affairs, Housing and Urban Affairs, and Cooperation.
  • Keshab Mahanta: Revenue and Disaster Management, Science, Technology and Climate Change, and General Administration.
  • Krishnendu Paul: Public Health Engineering, Hill Areas, and Barak Valley Development.
  • Nilima Devi: Animal Husbandry and Veterinary, and Fishery.
  • Pijush Hazarika: Agriculture, Irrigation and Parliamentary Affairs.
  • Susanta Borgohain: Water Resources and Judicial departments.

The four ministers sworn in on May 12, 2026, also had their portfolios announced earlier. Rameswar Teli was assigned Labour Welfare, Tea Tribes and Adivasi Welfare, and Transformation and Development. Ajanta Neog received Women and Child Development and Tourism. Atul Bora was given Panchayat and Rural Development, Implementation of Assam Accord, Border Protection and Development, and Excise. Charan Boro retained Transport and Welfare of Bodoland portfolios.

Reactions

“It is a balanced team, which represents the aspirations of all sections of people, and their experience and wisdom will further strengthen our resolve to build a Viksit (developed) Assam,” Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said after the swearing-in ceremony.

What’s next

With 17 ministers now in the Council, two berths remain vacant, allowing for potential future adjustments. The expanded cabinet is expected to accelerate the government’s development agenda, focusing on promises made in the BJP’s election manifesto, which includes initiatives for employment generation, women’s empowerment, agriculture, industry, education, healthcare, and infrastructure development.

The government is committed to working as a facilitator for all stakeholders to unleash energies for the state’s development by 2026, with a vision for a $300 billion economy by 2036.

Sources & References