Guwahati, 11 May (HS): Assam Chief Minister Dr Himanta Biswa Sarma on Monday said the composition of the new state cabinet would be decided only after detailed discussions with BJP national president Nitin Nabin, who is expected to arrive in Guwahati late in the evening.

Addressing mediapersons, Sarma stated that the final list of ministers for the new government would be announced on Tuesday morning ahead of the swearing-in ceremony. He said he preferred to hold face-to-face discussions with the party leadership instead of deciding the matter over telephone conversations.

According to Sarma, Nabin is scheduled to land in Guwahati around 10 p.m. and discussions regarding the ministry are likely to take place during the journey from Lokpriya Gopinath Bordoloi International Airport to the hotel where the BJP leader will stay.

Sarma is set to take oath for a second consecutive term as Chief Minister and will head the third successive NDA government in Assam. The swearing-in ceremony is scheduled to be held at Khanapara on Tuesday.

The Chief Minister said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union ministers, chief ministers and deputy chief ministers from NDA-ruled states, industrialists, diplomats, Satradhikars and party workers are expected to attend the event. Most of the dignitaries, including the Prime Minister, are likely to arrive in Guwahati on Monday night, he added.

He further said regular administrative functioning of the new government would begin from Wednesday in accordance with the commitments outlined in the NDA’s election manifesto.

The BJP-led NDA secured a decisive victory in the Assam Assembly elections with a two-thirds majority in the 126-member House. The BJP won 82 seats, while its allies, Asom Gana Parishad and Bodoland People’s Front, won 10 seats each.------------

Hindusthan Samachar / Sriprakash