Assam Chief Minister-designate Himanta Biswa Sarma on Sunday said the new BJP-led NDA government in the state is likely to have around 18 to 19 ministers in the council of ministers.

Speaking to reporters ahead of the oath-taking ceremony scheduled for May 12, Sarma said discussions regarding the final composition of the cabinet are still underway and no names have been finalised yet.

“There may be around 18-19 ministers, but whether we include new faces or retain experienced ones will depend on the guidance we receive,” Sarma said while responding to questions on cabinet formation.

The swearing-in ceremony of the new Assam government will take place at the Veterinary College ground in Guwahati. Sarma is set to begin his second consecutive term as chief minister after the BJP-led NDA secured a sweeping victory in the Assam Assembly elections.

The NDA won 102 seats in the 126-member Assam Assembly, paving the way for the alliance to form the government for a third straight term in the state.

Sarma also said the new government would continue focusing on Assam’s welfare and development over the next five years, adding that the alliance had received a strong public mandate in the elections.

Himanta Biswa Sarma is set to take oath as the Chief Minister of Assam on May 12 after the BJP-led NDA secured a decisive victory in the 2026 Assembly elections. The alliance won 102 seats in the 126-member Assembly, paving the way for the NDA government’s third consecutive term in the state.

Sarma was unanimously elected as the leader of the NDA legislature party during a meeting held in Guwahati. BJP national president J. P. Nadda attended the meeting as the party’s central observer, while Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini was present as co-observer.

Following the meeting, Sarma and senior NDA leaders met Assam Governor Lakshman Prasad Acharya to stake claim to form the government. The Governor later invited him to form the next government in the state.

According to reports, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah are likely to attend the swearing-in ceremony in Guwahati.

The BJP emerged as the single-largest party with 82 seats, while its allies Asom Gana Parishad and Bodoland People’s Front won 10 seats each, taking the NDA tally to 102.

Sarma first became Assam Chief Minister in 2021 and is now set to begin his second consecutive term in office.

Actor-turned-politician Vijay is set to take oath as the Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu after days of intense political negotiations following the Assembly election results.

The swearing-in ceremony is scheduled to take place on Sunday at Chennai’s Jawaharlal Nehru Indoor Stadium after Governor R. V. Arlekar cleared the formation of a government led by the Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK).

TVK emerged as the single largest party in the 234-member Assembly but initially fell short of the majority mark. The party required support from additional legislators to cross the 118-seat threshold needed to form the government.

The breakthrough came after support from parties including the Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi (VCK), Congress, CPI and CPI(M), helping Vijay stake a stronger claim before the Governor. Reports said the Governor held multiple rounds of discussions with Vijay before formally approving the oath ceremony.

The development marks a major political shift in Tamil Nadu, where Dravidian parties had dominated state politics for decades. Vijay’s TVK contested its first Assembly election and managed to emerge as a key force in the state.

Earlier uncertainty over the oath ceremony had triggered speculation after Raj Bhavan reportedly sought proof of majority support from the TVK leadership. Vijay met the Governor several times over the past few days amid efforts to secure backing from alliance partners and independent MLAs.

With the numbers now appearing to be in place, preparations for the swearing-in ceremony have intensified in Chennai ahead of Vijay formally taking charge as Chief Minister.