Guwahati, 12 May (HS): Senior BJP leader Ajanta Neog on Tuesday took oath as a minister in the BJP-led Assam government for a second consecutive term following the formation of the new NDA government in the state.

Assam Governor Laxman Prasad Acharya administered the oath of office and secrecy to Neog during the swearing-in ceremony held in Guwahati. Her induction came after the NDA retained power in Assam with a decisive mandate in the 2026 Assembly elections.

Representing the 103 No. Golaghat Legislative Assembly Constituency, Neog is regarded as one of the prominent women leaders in Assam politics. In the previous government led by Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, she handled the Finance and Women & Child Development portfolios and became the first woman Finance Minister of Assam.

A five-time MLA from Golaghat since 2001, Neog also holds the distinction of being the longest-serving woman legislator in Assam. Before joining the Bharatiya Janata Party in December 2020, she had served in several key departments, including Public Works, Urban Development and Housing, during her tenure in earlier governments.

Born in Guwahati, Neog completed her MA, LLB and LLM from Gauhati University and later practised as an advocate at the Gauhati High Court. She is also an alumna of Handique Girls' College.

The portfolios of the newly inducted ministers in the fresh Assam cabinet are yet to be officially announced.

It may be mentioned that Ajanta Neog was married to late Nagen Neog, who was a prominent Congress leader and former Rural Development Minister in the Assam government.

Nagen Neog was elected to the Assam Legislative Assembly from the Golaghat constituency and had served as a minister in the cabinet of former Chief Minister Hiteswar Saikia.

He was killed on May 6, 1996, in an attack carried out by ULFA militants.

Nagen Neog is survived by his wife Ajanta Neog and their two sons. Following his death, Ajanta Neog entered active politics and later emerged as one of Assam’s senior women political leaders.-----------

Hindusthan Samachar / Sriprakash