Himanta Biswa Sarma, a prominent Indian politician and lawyer, has been serving as the 15th and current Chief Minister of Assam since 2021. Initially associated with the Indian National Congress, he made a significant political move and joined the Bharatiya Janata Party on August 23, 2015.
Bio/Wiki
Age-54years
Height- 170 cm
Weight-68kg
Born- 1 February 1969
Birthplace- Jorhat
Profession-Politician
Siblings- Susanta Biswa Sarma
Spouse- Riniki Bhuyan Sarma (m. 2001)
Nationality- Indian
Family
Born on February 1, 1969, in Jorhat, Assam, Himanta Biswa Sarma’s father’s name is Kailash Nath Sarma, and his mother’s name is Mrinalini Devi. Himanta Biswa Sarma comes from a family of six siblings. They eventually moved to Ulubari, Gandhibasti in Guwahati. Sarma’s roots can be traced back to Latima in Nalbari district, and he belongs to an Assamese family with a rich heritage.
Wife
Riniki Bhuyan Sharma is an Indian businesswoman hailing from Assam. She holds the position of Managing Director at Pride East Entertainment, a prominent media house. She is married to Himanta Biswa Sarma, who currently serves as the Chief Minister of Assam.
Children
Himanta Biswa Sarma has a daughter named Sukanya Sarma and a son named Nandil Biswa Sarma.
Career
Himanta Biswa Sarma’s political career has been notable and eventful. Here are some key highlights:
Early Political Involvement
Sarma began his political journey in the Indian National Congress (INC). He was a member of the party and held significant positions in the Congress party’s Assam unit.
Switch to BJP
In a significant political shift, Sarma left the Congress party and joined the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on August 23, 2015. His decision to switch parties was seen as a significant blow to the Congress in the Northeastern state of Assam.
2016 Assam Assembly Elections
After joining the BJP, Sarma played a crucial role in the 2016 Assam Assembly elections. He was one of the key strategists for the BJP and contributed significantly to the party’s electoral success. The BJP emerged victorious, and Sarma played a crucial role in securing a majority for the party in the state assembly.
Cabinet Minister in Assam
After the BJP’s victory in the 2016 elections, Sarma was appointed as a Cabinet Minister in the Government of Assam. He held several important portfolios, including Finance, Health, Education, and Planning & Development.
Rise to Deputy Chief Minister
Due to his political acumen and influence, Sarma became the Deputy Chief Minister of Assam in 2016. He continued to hold various important portfolios in the state government.
2021 Assam Assembly Elections
In the 2021 Assam Assembly elections, Sarma played a crucial role in the BJP’s successful campaign. The party secured a comfortable majority, and as a prominent leader, Sarma’s position within the party strengthened even further.
Chief Minister of Assam
On May 10, 2021, Himanta Biswa Sarma was sworn in as the 15th Chief Minister of Assam, succeeding Sarbananda Sonowal. His elevation to the position of Chief Minister marked a significant milestone in his political career.
Policy Initiatives
As Chief Minister, Sarma has been actively involved in implementing various policy initiatives in Assam. He has focused on issues such as healthcare, education, infrastructure development, and employment generation.
Achievement/Awards
Assam Ratna
In 2021, Himanta Biswa Sarma was honored with the prestigious “Assam Ratna” award, the highest civilian award given by the Government of Assam, in recognition of his significant contributions to the state.
Publications
Sarma is a prolific writer and has authored several books. One of his notable books is “Samiran Barua Aru Himanta Biswa Sharma: Bideshi Boka Asomiya Jatiotwa” (“Samiran Barua and Himanta Biswa Sarma: Foreign-born Assamese Nationalism”).
Key Roles in Elections
Sarma played a pivotal role in the Bharatiya Janata Party’s (BJP) electoral victories in the Northeastern region, particularly in Assam. His political strategies and leadership have been crucial in expanding the party’s footprint in the region.
Significant Cabinet Portfolios
Throughout his political career, Sarma has held important cabinet portfolios in the Assam state government, such as Finance, Health, Education, Planning & Development, and others. His role in these positions has had a considerable impact on the state’s policies and development.
Infrastructure Development
As the Chief Minister of Assam since May 2021, Sarma has been focused on infrastructure development in the state. He has initiated various projects to improve transportation, education, healthcare facilities, and other essential services.
Net Worth 2023
Himanta Biswa Sarma, the Chief Minister of Assam, India, receives an annual salary of ₹15,00,000.00.
Himanta Biswa Sarma Latest News
Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma has replaced “India” with “Bharat” in his Twitter bio, in response to the opposition alliance’s decision to brand themselves as “INDIA” for the upcoming 2024 Lok Sabha Elections. Sarma criticized the use of “India” as a name, arguing that it was a colonial legacy imposed by the British. He emphasized that the focus should be on reclaiming the name “Bharat,” which represents the historical identity of the nation.
In a tweet, Sarma stated, “Our civilisational conflict is pivoted around India and Bharat. The British named our country as India. We must strive to free ourselves from colonial legacies. Our forefathers fought for Bharat, and we will continue to work for Bharat.”
The Congress party responded to Sarma’s remarks, suggesting that he direct his criticism towards Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who has used “India” as the name for various government schemes and programs. They accused Sarma of showing sour grapes and being inconsistent in his stance.
In an attempt to avoid the debate over “India” vs. “Bharat,” the opposition parties later added the tagline “Jeetega Bharat” (India will win) to their united front. This move aimed to shift the focus away from the name controversy and emphasize their commitment to winning in the elections.
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