Guwahati : The Assam government on Friday expanded its Council of Ministers with the induction of 12 legislators, including four first-time ministers, as Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma reshaped his team following the NDA’s sweeping victory in the recently concluded Assembly elections.

Governor Lakshman Prasad Acharya administered the oath of office and secrecy to the ministers at a ceremony held at the Jyoti-Bishnu Antarjatik Kala Mandir in Guwahati.

With the latest expansion, the strength of the Council of Ministers has increased to 17, including the Chief Minister. Under constitutional provisions, Assam’s 126-member Assembly can have a maximum of 19 ministers.

The four new entrants to the ministry are BJP legislators Ashwini Ray Sarkar, Nilima Devi, Sushanta Borgohain and former Assembly Speaker Biswajit Daimary. Senior AGP leader Keshab Mahanta was also inducted into the ministry.

The remaining ministers sworn in were Ashok Singhal, Ranoj Pegu, Bimal Borah, Jayanta Malla Baruah, Kaushik Rai, Krishnendu Paul and Pijush Hazarika, all of whom had served in the previous Sarma-led government.

They join ministers already sworn into office, including AGP president Atul Bora, BPF leader Charan Boro and BJP leaders Ajanta Neog and Rameshwar Teli.

Following the expansion, the ministry comprises 13 BJP ministers, two from the Asom Gana Parishad and one from the Bodoland People’s Front, apart from the Chief Minister.

The new cabinet reflects a broad regional and ethnic balance. Kaushik Rai and Krishnendu Paul represent the Barak Valley, while Charan Boro and Biswajit Daimary strengthen representation from the Bodo community. Ranoj Pegu represents the Mising community, Ashwini Ray Sarkar the Koch-Rajbongshi community, and Sushanta Borgohain the Ahom community.

The expanded ministry also ensures representation from Upper Assam, Lower Assam, Central Assam, North Assam and the Barak Valley, underscoring the ruling alliance’s effort to maintain geographical and social inclusivity in governance.

The NDA returned to power with a decisive mandate in the Assembly elections, securing 102 of the 126 seats. The BJP emerged as the dominant partner with 82 seats, while its allies AGP and BPF won 10 seats each.