Guwahati : Assam Chief Minister-elect Himanta Biswa Sarma on Monday indicated that the new NDA government in the state is likely to have a cabinet comprising 18 to 19 ministers ahead of the swearing-in ceremony scheduled for May 12.

Speaking to reporters in Guwahati, Sarma said discussions on the final composition of the cabinet would take place after the arrival of BJP national president Nitin Nabin later in the night. “There is no written list yet of the MLAs to be inducted into the cabinet. The new Assam cabinet is likely to have around 18 to 19 members, and all the names are currently in my mind,” Sarma said.

However, he refrained from confirming whether new faces would be included in the ministry, stating that the final decision would be taken in accordance with the party leadership’s guidance.”As of now, before a proper discussion with Nitin Nabin, I cannot say anything because I have to go by the party’s overall guidance,” he added.

According to Sarma, Nitin Nabin is expected to arrive in Guwahati around 10 pm on Monday, after which key discussions regarding cabinet berths and portfolio allocation are expected to take place.

“BJP national president Nitin Nabin will reach Guwahati by 10 pm today and only after that will I be able to discuss the cabinet berths. Since I will accompany him from the airport to his accommodation, the discussion will unfold during that time and is expected to conclude by then,” he said.

Sarma further stated that even MLAs selected for ministerial positions would be informed only on Tuesday morning. “Even the MLAs who will be selected for the cabinet will come to know about it only tomorrow morning at 7 am,” he remarked.

The swearing-in ceremony of the BJP-led NDA government is scheduled to begin around 11 am on Tuesday and is expected to be attended by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union Home Minister Amit Shah, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, and Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, among other senior NDA leaders.

Sarma said Prime Minister Modi is expected to arrive in Guwahati around 10:30 pm on Monday, while several Union ministers and leaders are also scheduled to reach the city later in the evening.

“As far as I know, the Chief Ministers and Deputy Chief Ministers of 22 states will be present for the ceremony. Apart from NDA Chief Ministers, the Chief Minister of Mizoram will also attend,” he said.

The event is also expected to witness the participation of diplomats, religious leaders, industrialists, BJP workers, and Satradhikars from various satras across Assam. Meanwhile, Assam BJP president Dilip Saikia said the ceremony would remain open to the public without restrictions on attendance.

“Workers from different parts of the state will definitely attend. There are no restrictions or special passes required for people to take part. Everyone is welcome to attend the ceremony,” Saikia said.

Sarma added that the government’s regular office functioning would formally begin from May 13 and reiterated that the NDA government would work towards implementing the promises made in its election manifesto.

Security arrangements have been intensified at the Veterinary College Field in Khanapara ahead of the swearing-in ceremony of Himanta Biswa Sarma, who is set to take oath as the Chief Minister of Assam on May 12.

The oath-taking ceremony is scheduled to begin at 11:40 am on Tuesday, with extensive preparations underway at the venue in anticipation of the arrival of senior BJP leaders, alliance partners, top bureaucrats, and party workers from different parts of the state.

Barricades, security checkpoints, and stage construction work were visible across the venue on Monday as authorities stepped up arrangements for the high-profile event in Guwahati.

Earlier, the Governor of Assam officially appointed Sarma as the Chief Minister under Article 164(1) of the Constitution of India. According to a notification issued by the Parliamentary Affairs Department of the Assam government, the swearing-in ceremony will be held at the Veterinary College Field in Khanapara.

The official order stated that the Governor exercised powers conferred under clause (1) of Article 164 of the Constitution to appoint Dr Sarma as the Chief Minister of the state. Earlier in the day, Sarma formally staked claim to form the next government following the BJP-led alliance’s decisive victory in the Assam Assembly elections.

The notification, signed by Chief Secretary Ravi Kota, was circulated among senior administrative officials, constitutional authorities, and concerned departments for necessary arrangements ahead of the ceremony.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and several senior NDA leaders are expected to attend the event, which will mark the beginning of the BJP-led government’s new term in Assam.