Guwahati, 11 May (HS): Extensive security arrangements have been put in place at the Veterinary College Field in Khanapara ahead of the swearing-in ceremony of Dr. Himanta Biswa Sarma as the Chief Minister of Assam, scheduled for May 12.

Police personnel, barricades and security checkpoints were deployed across the venue as preparations gathered pace for the ceremony, which is slated to begin at 11:40 am on Monday. The event is expected to witness the presence of senior BJP leaders, NDA allies, top bureaucrats and party workers from different parts of the state.

Meanwhile, work related to stage construction, seating arrangements and other logistical preparations continued throughout the day at the venue in Guwahati.

Earlier, Assam Governor Lakshman Prasad Acharya officially appointed Dr. Sarma as the Chief Minister under Article 164(1) of the Constitution of India. The appointment was notified by the Parliamentary Affairs Department of the Assam Government.

The official notification stated that the Governor exercised the powers conferred under clause (1) of Article 164 to appoint Dr. Himanta Biswa Sarma as the Chief Minister of Assam.

Before the announcement, Sarma had formally staked claim to form the new government following the BJP-led alliance’s decisive victory in the recently concluded Assam Assembly elections.

The notification, signed by Chief Secretary Ravi Kota, was forwarded to constitutional authorities, senior administrative officers and concerned departments to ensure smooth conduct of the oath-taking programme.

With final preparations underway, the city is set to witness the formal commencement of the BJP-led government’s new tenure in Assam.------------

Hindusthan Samachar / Sriprakash