Guwahati, 12 May (HS): Senior BJP leader Rameswar Teli on Tuesday joined the new Assam ministry after taking oath as minister during the swearing-in ceremony of the BJP-led NDA government in Guwahati.

The oath of office and secrecy was administered by Assam Governor Laxman Prasad Acharya in the presence of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union ministers, NDA chief ministers and senior BJP leaders from across the country.

Teli, who represents the 90 No. Duliajan Legislative Assembly Constituency, is regarded as an influential BJP leader from Upper Assam. His inclusion in the new cabinet is being seen as a move to further strengthen the party’s base in the tea belt and industrial regions of eastern Assam.

A former Rajya Sabha member and ex-Union Minister of State, Teli earlier handled portfolios such as Petroleum and Natural Gas, Labour and Employment and Food Processing Industries in the Central government. He had also represented the Dibrugarh Lok Sabha constituency from 2014 to 2024 and served twice as an MLA from Duliajan between 2001 and 2011.

Born on August 14, 1970, in Duliajan, Teli rose from grassroots politics and was associated with the All Assam Tea Tribe Students’ Association (AATTSA) before joining active electoral politics. Coming from Assam’s tea-garden community, he is known for his organisational work and outreach among tea tribe voters.

The allocation of portfolios is yet to be announced officially.-----------

Hindusthan Samachar / Sriprakash