By FinBuzz India Desk | June 5, 2026 | Updated: June 12, 2026
Assam witnessed a major political development on June 5, 2026, as Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma expanded his cabinet by swearing in 12 new ministers at the Jyoti Bishnu Kala Mandir in Guwahati. The ceremony, held at 12:45 PM, brought the total strength of the Council of Ministers to 17, including the Chief Minister himself.
The Assam cabinet can have a maximum of 19 ministers. With 17 now in place, two positions remain vacant — leaving room for future adjustments.
Background: A Landslide Victory Behind the Expansion
The cabinet expansion follows the NDA’s historic performance in the 2026 Assam Assembly elections. The BJP-led alliance — comprising the BJP, Asom Gana Parishad (AGP), and Bodoland People’s Front (BPF) — secured 102 out of 126 seats, giving the coalition a commanding three-fourths majority. The BJP alone won 82 seats, with AGP and BPF contributing 10 seats each.
Himanta Biswa Sarma was sworn in for his second consecutive term as Chief Minister on May 12, 2026, at the Veterinary College ground in Khanapara — an event attended by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union Home Minister Amit Shah, and several other top national leaders.
First Wave: Ministers Sworn in on May 12
On the day of Sarma’s swearing-in, four ministers had already taken oath alongside the Chief Minister. These were:
- Atul Bora – AGP (Panchayat and Rural Development)
- Charan Boro – BPF (Transport; Welfare of Bodoland)
- Ajanta Neog – BJP (Women and Child Development; Tourism)
- Rameswar Teli – BJP (Transformation and Development; Labour Welfare; Tea Tribes)
June 5 Expansion: Full List of New Ministers
On June 5, twelve more legislators were inducted. The expansion includes experienced returning ministers as well as three brand-new faces — all from the BJP:
| Minister | Party | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Keshab Mahanta | AGP | Returning |
| Ashok Singhal | BJP | Returning |
| Ranoj Pegu | BJP | Returning (Mising community) |
| Kaushik Rai | BJP | Returning (Barak Valley) |
| Krishnendu Paul | BJP | Returning (Barak Valley) |
| Biswajit Daimary | BJP | New (former Assembly Speaker; Bodo community) |
| Ashwini Ray Sarkar | BJP | New (Koch Rajbongshi community) |
| Nilima Devi | BJP | New (women’s representation) |
| Sushanta Borgohain | BJP | New (Ahom community) |
Balancing Communities and Regions
One of the notable features of this cabinet reshuffle is its deliberate ethnic and regional balance. The expanded ministry includes representation from:
- Barak Valley — represented by Kaushik Rai and Krishnendu Paul
- Bodo community — represented by BPF’s Charan Boro and BJP’s Biswajit Daimary
- Mising tribe — represented by Ranoj Pegu
- Koch Rajbongshi community — represented by Ashwini Ray Sarkar
- Ahom community — represented by Sushanta Borgohain
The cabinet also includes two women ministers — Ajanta Neog and newly inducted Nilima Devi — matching the female representation from Sarma’s first cabinet.
A Notable New Face: Biswajit Daimary
Among the new entrants, Biswajit Daimary draws significant attention. He served as the 17th Speaker of the Assam Legislative Assembly since 2021 and now transitions into a ministerial role in Sarma’s second government. His inclusion is seen as recognition of both his legislative experience and his standing within the Bodo community.
Ranjeet Kumar Dass Elected Assembly Speaker
In a parallel development, Ranjeet Kumar Dass — a former minister and ex-President of the Assam Pradesh BJP — has been elected as the NDA’s candidate for Speaker of the Assam Legislative Assembly for the new term. He previously held the Speaker’s post briefly in 2016.
Assam’s Governance
The expanded cabinet signals that CM Sarma is moving quickly to build a full working government after the election mandate. With experienced ministers like Keshab Mahanta back on board and fresh energy from new faces like Biswajit Daimary and Sushanta Borgohain, the administration is expected to push forward key initiatives in development, infrastructure, and social welfare across the state.
The two vacant ministerial posts also suggest that the Chief Minister may have further strategic additions planned as the new government settles in.
Quick Numbers: Total Council of Ministers = 17 (including CM) | BJP: 13 | AGP: 2 | BPF: 1 | Maximum allowed: 19 | Seats vacant: 2
Conclusion
The June 5 cabinet expansion marks a significant milestone in Assam’s political calendar for 2026. Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma has assembled a diverse team that reflects the demographic and geographic mosaic of the state. As the second Sarma ministry hits full stride, all eyes will be on how the new ministers perform and what policy agenda Assam’s government rolls out in the months ahead.
