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{{short description|15th and current Chief Minister Of Assam}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=May 2022}}
{{Use Indian English|date=January 2016}}
{{Infobox officeholder
| name = Himanta Biswa Sarma
| image = Himanta Biswa Sarma,.jpg
| image_size = 250px
| caption = Sarma in 2021
| birth_date = {{Birth date and age|df=yes|1969|02|01}}
| birth_place = [[Jorhat]], [[Assam]], [[India]]
| death_date =
| death_place =
| order = 15th
| office = Chief Minister of Assam
| governor = [[Jagdish Mukhi]]
| preceding =
| succeeding =
| status = [[Incumbent]]
| term_start = 10 May 2021
| term_end =
| constituency =
| office6 = Member of the [[Assam Legislative Assembly]]
| term_start6 = 2001
| term_end6 =
| majority6 =
| predecessor6 = [[Bhrigu Kumar Phukan]]
| successor6 =
| constituency6 = [[Jalukbari (Vidhan Sabha constituency)|Jalukbari]]
| office1 = [[Minister (government)|Minister]] of the [[Government of Assam]]
| 1blankname1 = [[Chief Minister]]
| 1namedata1 = [[Sarbananda Sonowal]]
| term_start1 = 24 May 2016
| term_end1 = 9 May 2021
| 2blankname1 = Ministry
| 2namedata1 = Finance, Planning and Development, Health and Family Welfare, Education, Public Works
| 1blankname2 = [[Chief Minister]]
| 1namedata2 = [[Tarun Gogoi]]
| 2blankname2 = Ministry
| 2namedata2 = Finance, Health & Family Welfare, Public Works, Transformation & Development
| term_start2 = 2011
| term_end2 = 2014
| incumbent =
| 1blankname3 = [[Chief Minister]]
| 1namedata3 = [[Tarun Gogoi]]
| 2blankname3 = Ministry
| 2namedata3 = Health and Family Welfare, Finance, Public Works, Culture
| term_start3 = 2006
| term_end3 = 2011
| office4 = [[Minister of State]] of the [[Government of Assam]]
| 1blankname4 = [[Chief Minister]]
| 1namedata4 = [[Tarun Gogoi]]
| 2blankname4 = Ministry
| 2namedata4 = Finance, Planning and Development
| term_start4 = 1 September 2004
| term_end4 = June 2006
| 1blankname5 = [[Chief Minister]]
| 1namedata5 = [[Tarun Gogoi]]
| 2blankname5 = Ministry
| 2namedata5 = Agriculture, Planning and Development
| term_start5 = 7 June 2002
| term_end5 = 31 August 2004
| spouse = {{Marriage|[[Riniki Bhuyan Sarma]]<br/>|7 June 2001}}
| parents =
| party = [[Bharatiya Janata Party]] (2015–present)
| otherparty = [[Indian National Congress]] (1991–2015)
| relations =
| children = 2
| alma_mater = *[[Cotton University|Cotton College]] ([[Bachelor of Arts|BA]], [[Master of Arts|MA]])
*[[BRM Government Law College]] ([[Bachelor of Laws|LLB]])
*[[Gauhati University]] ([[Doctor of Philosophy|PhD]])
| profession =
| website = {{url|https://www.himantabiswasarma.com/|Himanta Biswa Sarma}}
| footnotes =
| predecessor = [[Sarbananda Sonowal]]
| nickname = ''Mama''<ref name=":2">{{cite news |url=https://www.news18.com/news/opinion/everyones-mama-is-assams-next-cm-himanta-biswa-sarmas-own-mettle-has-catapulted-him-to-the-top-3722699.html |title=Everyone's 'Mama' is Assam's Next CM: Himanta Biswa Sarma's Own Mettle Has Catapulted Him to the Top |work=News18 |date=10 May 2021 |author=Dipankar Roy |language=en}}</ref>
| citizenship = [[India]]
| native_name =
| Office = [[Chief Minister of Assam 2021]]
| signature = Signature of Himanta Biswa Sarma.svg
}}

'''Himanta Biswa Sarma''' (born 1 February 1969) is an [[Indian politician]] serving as the 15th and [[incumbent]] [[Chief Minister of Assam]]. A former member of the [[Indian National Congress]] political party, Sarma defected to the [[Bharatiya Janata Party]] on 23 August 2015.<ref>{{cite news|last=Bhatt|first=Sheela|date=15 February 2016|title=Himanta Biswa Sarma: In 2016 Assam election, Bangladeshi immigrants want their own CM too|work=Indian Express|url=http://indianexpress.com/article/india/politics/himanta-biswa-sarma-in-this-assam-election-bangladeshi-immigrants-want-their-own-cm-too/}}</ref> He is a five time [[Assam Legislative Assembly|Member of the Assam Legislative Assembly]] from [[Jalukbari (Vidhan Sabha constituency)|Jalukbari]], having first been elected in 2001.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Ghosh|first=Abantika|date=20 May 2016|title=I told Rahul Gandhi you will not cross 25 seats, he said we will win: BJP MLA Himanta Biswa Sarma|url=https://indianexpress.com/article/elections-2016/india/india-news-india/assam-assembly-elections-2016-bjp-himanta-biswa-sarma-2809869/|url-status=live|access-date=21 September 2021|website=The Indian Express|language=en}}</ref><ref name="Sentinel Himanta Biswa Sarma">{{Cite web|last=|first=|date=9 May 2021|title=Himanta Biswa Sarma: Early Life, INC & BJP Political Career, Books, Controversies & more|url=https://www.sentinelassam.com/north-east-india-news/assam-news/wikipedia-of-himanta-biswa-sarma-muscat-of-saffron-party-in-assam-533950|url-status=live|access-date=22 September 2021|website=The Sentinel Assam}}</ref>

Sarma studied at [[Cotton College]] and later obtained a bachelor of laws from Government Law College in [[Guwahati]]. He later became a solicitor and practised law at [[Gauhati High Court]] before his entry to politics.

Sarma was the Congress candidate for [[Jalukbari (Vidhan Sabha constituency)|Jalukbari]] in 2001 and he defeated AGP leader [[Bhrigu Phukan]]. He was made a minister of state in the [[First Tarun Gogoi Ministry|First Tarun Gogoi cabinet]] twice. He was inducted into the [[Second Tarun Gogoi Ministry|Second Tarun Gogoi cabinet]] and was upgraded to a cabinet minister. He served in the [[Third Tarun Gogoi Ministry|third cabinet]] before he resigned from congress.

Sarma cited mismanagement by [[Rahul Gandhi]] as the reason for his defection from the Indian National Congress party. He led the BJP's successful state election campaign in 2016 and was sworn in as a Cabinet Minister on 24 May 2016. The [[Bharatiya Janata Party|BJP]] appointed him the convener (leader) of the [[North-East Democratic Alliance]] (NEDA), a regional sub-group of the federal [[National Democratic Alliance]] (NDA), aimed at increasing the party's political strength in North-East India.<ref>{{Cite web|last=|first=|date=24 May 2016|title=Former Gogoi close aide Himanta Biswa Sarma named convener of NDA's northeast alliance|url=https://www.dnaindia.com/india/report-former-gogoi-close-aide-himanta-biswa-sarma-named-convener-of-nda-s-northeast-alliance-2216129|url-status=live|access-date=21 September 2021|website=DNA India|language=en}}</ref> He was sworn in as Chief Minister of Assam on 10 May 2021, succeeding [[Sarbananda Sonowal]]. He is often called 'Mama' (meaning maternal uncle) by voters in Assam.<ref name=":2" />

==Early life and education==
Sarma was born on 1 February 1969 in [[Jorhat]], [[Assam]], the family later shifted to [[Ulubari]], Gandhibasti in [[Guwahati]].<ref name="Sentinel Himanta Biswa Sarma" /><ref name="profile"/> He belongs to an [[Assamese people|Assamese]] family which traces its origins to Latima in [[Nalbari district]].<ref>{{Cite news|last=Pisharoty|first=Sangeeta Barooah|date=9 May 2021|title=Assam Has a New CM – Himanta Biswa Sarma. What Does It Spell For the Future of Assam Politics?|url=https://thewire.in/politics/assam-has-a-new-cm-himanta-biswa-sarma-what-does-it-spell-for-the-future-of-assam-politics|url-status=live|access-date=22 September 2021|work=The Wire}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|date=10 May 2021|title=BJP's Troubleshooter, NE's Most Influential Politician Himanta Biswa Sarma to Take Oath as Assam CM Today|work=india.com|editor-last=Seal|editor-first=Rajashree|url=https://www.india.com/news/india/bjps-troubleshooter-nes-most-influential-politician-himanta-biswa-sarma-to-take-oath-as-assam-cm-today-4652241/|access-date=26 June 2021}}</ref> Sarma married Riniki Bhuyan Sarma in 2001, with whom he has a son, Nandil Biswa Sarma,<ref>{{Cite web|last=Kalita|first=Prabin|date=7 April 2021|title=Assam: Don't want my son to step into politics, says Himanta Biswa Sarma|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/guwahati/dont-want-my-son-to-step-into-politics-says-himanta/articleshow/81943496.cms|url-status=live|access-date=21 September 2021|website=The Times of India}}</ref> who attended [[The Doon School]],<ref>{{Cite web|date=24 January 2019|title=Himanta's son Nandil becomes captain of prestigious Doon School|url=https://nenow.in/north-east-news/himantas-son-nandil-becomes-captain-prestigious-doon-school.html|url-status=live|access-date=28 August 2021|website=Northeast Now|language=en-US}}</ref> and a daughter, Sukanya Sarma, who attended [[Mayo College Girls School]].<ref name="MLAProfile">{{cite web|title=Who's Who|url=http://www.assamassembly.gov.in/himanta-biswa-sarma.html|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210915202133/http://www.assamassembly.gov.in/himanta-biswa-sarma.html|archive-date=15 September 2021|access-date=22 January 2020|website=www.assamassembly.gov.in|publisher=Assam Legislative Assembly}}</ref><ref name="profile">{{cite web|title=Dr. Himanta Biswa Sarma|url=http://216.150.25.81/nict11/pdf/profile/himanta_biswa_sarma.pdf|access-date=30 August 2012|publisher=Government of Assam}}{{Dead link|date=July 2018|bot=InternetArchiveBot|fix-attempted=yes}} ''(This paragraph was originally referenced to this source, a lot of the content was sourced to this)''</ref>

Sarma was educated at Kamrup Academy School, Guwahati in 1985 and joined [[Cotton College, Guwahati]] (now known as Cotton University) for his undergraduate education.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web|date=19 May 2016|title=Assam election results 2016: Meet Himanta Biswa Sarma, ex-Congress minister, the man behind BJP's historic victory|url=https://www.financialexpress.com/india-news/assam-election-results-2016-meet-himanta-biswa-sarma-ex-congress-minister-the-man-behind-bjps-historic-victory/259468/|url-status=live|access-date=22 September 2021|website=The Financial Express}}</ref> He was elected the General Secretary of [[Cotton University|Cotton College Students Union]], serving from 1991 to 1992.<ref>{{Cite web|date=11 May 2021|title=Proud moment for Cotton University as Himanta Sarma becomes the institute's seventh alumnus to don Assam CM's hat|url=https://www.newindianexpress.com/nation/2021/may/11/proud-moment-for-cotton-university-as-himanta-sarma-becomes-the-institutes-seventhalumnus-to-don-a-2301150.html|url-status=live|access-date=22 September 2021|website=The New Indian Express}}</ref> Sarma is the seventh chief minister of Assam from Cotton University.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Kalita|first=Kangkan|date=10 May 2021|title=As news breaks, Cotton Univ celebrates its 'very own CM'|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/as-news-breaks-cotton-univ-celebrates-its-very-own-cm/articleshow/82514676.cms|url-status=live|access-date=22 September 2021|website=The Times of India}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|last=|first=|date=10 May 2021|title=Assam's Cotton University: Institute that gave state 7 of 15 its chief ministers|url=https://www.indiatoday.in/cities/guwahati/story/assam-s-cotton-university-institute-which-gave-state-7-of-15-chief-ministers-1800733-2021-05-10|url-status=live|access-date=22 September 2021|website=India Today}}</ref>

He obtained a Bachelor of Arts in 1990 and Master of Arts in 1992, both in [[political science]], from the University.<ref name=":0" /> Thereafter, Sarma obtained a [[Bachelor of Laws]] from Government Law College, Guwahati, and became a solicitor in 1995. He practised law at the [[Gauhati High Court]] from 1996 to 2001. In 2006, he completed a [[Doctorate of Philosophy]] in political science from [[Gauhati University]], defending his dissertation shortly before he was elected to public office.<ref name=":0" /><ref name="profile" /><ref>[http://ceoassam.nic.in/assembly/pdf/2011/affidavits/51/1-Himanta%20Biswa%20Sarma.pdf Affidavit]. pg 7. ''Chief Election Officer, Assam''. Retrieved on 22 September 2021.</ref>

==Political career==
=== Indian National Congress ===
[[File:The Union Minister of Science & Technology and Earth Sciences, Shri Kapil Sibal releasing a report on Seismic Microzonation of Guwahati, at Guwahati on January 18, 2008.jpg|thumb|left|Sarma with [[Kapil Sibal]], releasing a report on Seismic Microzonation of [[Guwahati]], on 18 January 2008]]
Sarma was elected to the [[Assam Legislative Assembly]] from [[Jalukbari (Vidhan Sabha constituency)|Jalukbari]] for the first time in 2001 when he defeated [[Asom Gana Parishad]] leader [[Bhrigu Kumar Phukan]]. He was re-elected in 2006, then in 2011 for a third consecutive term with a 78,000 vote margin.<ref name="NDTV2015" /><ref>{{Cite web|last=Choudhury|first=Ratnadip|date=9 May 2021|title=From Student Body To Assam Chief Minister: Long Journey For Himanta Biswa Sarma|url=https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/from-student-body-to-assam-chief-minister-long-journey-for-himanta-biswa-sarma-2438262|url-status=live|access-date=22 September 2021|website=NDTV}}</ref> Sarma held important portfolios (both state and cabinet) as Minister of State for Agriculture, Planning and Development, Finance, Health, Education, and [[Assam Accord]] Implementation from 2002 to 2014.<ref name="NDTV2015">{{cite news |last1=IANS |title=Former Assam Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma Quits Assembly |url=https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/former-assam-minister-himanta-biswa-sarma-quits-assembly-1217926 |access-date=31 March 2021 |work=NDTV |date=15 September 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Himanta Biswa Sarma|work=Business Standard India|url=https://www.business-standard.com/topic/himanta-biswa-sarma|access-date=31 March 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210909112229/https://www.business-standard.com/topic/himanta-biswa-sarma|archive-date=9 September 2021}}</ref>

He was made Cabinet Minister for Health in 2006, and in 2011 he was also entrusted with the additional charge of Education.<ref name="MLAProfile" /> During his tenure, three medical colleges in [[Jorhat]], [[Barpeta]] and [[Tezpur]] were built.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Overview: Brief History of Jorhat Medical College|url=https://jorhatmedicalcollege.in/jmch/index.php/the-college/overview|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190408231921/http://jorhatmedicalcollege.in/jmch/index.php/the-college/overview|archive-date=8 April 2019|access-date=22 September 2021|website=jorhatmedicalcollege.in}}</ref> He also initiated work for five more medical colleges in [[Diphu]], [[Nagaon]], [[Dhubri]], [[North Lakhimpur]] and [[Kokrajhar]], which are now in various startup stages.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Haq|first=Zia|date=3 May 2021|title=Assam: The phenomenon called Himanta Biswa Sarma|url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/elections/assam-assembly-election/assamthe-phenomenon-called-himanta-biswa-sarma-101620017280296.html|url-status=live|access-date=22 September 2021|website=Hindustan Times|language=en}}</ref>

=== Bharatiya Janata Party ===
[[File:Kamakhya Prasad Tasa with Home Minister of India Amit Shah & Chief Minister of Assam Dr Himanta Biswa Sarma.jpg|left|thumb|200x200px|Sarma with [[Amit Shah]] and [[Kamakhya Prasad Tasa]]]]
After political disagreements with the former chief minister [[Tarun Gogoi]], Sarma resigned from all positions on 21 July 2014. He was a Member of the Legislative Assembly of the [[Jalukbari (Vidhan Sabha constituency)|Jalukbari]] constituency until his resignation from the Assembly on 15 September 2015.<ref name="profile" /><ref>[http://www.telegraphindia.com/1150916/jsp/frontpage/story_42919.jsp#.VfniZJ1Viko Himanta resigns from MLA post]. ''Telegraph India.'' 15 September 2015. [https://web.archive.org/web/20180801124707/https://www.telegraphindia.com/1150916/jsp/frontpage/story_42919.jsp Archived] on 1 August 2018.</ref> Sarma joined the [[Bharatiya Janata Party]] on 23 August 2015 at the residence of [[Amit Shah]] at [[New Delhi]].<ref>{{Cite web|authors=IANS|date=23 August 2015|title=Former Assam minister Himanta Biswa meets Amit Shah, to join BJP|url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/india/former-assam-minister-himanta-biswa-meets-amit-shah-to-join-bjp/story-ieqWZLEc8RL9QqeMC4NPpI.html|url-status=live|access-date=22 September 2021|website=Hindustan Times}}</ref> He was appointed as the party's Convener of the Election Management Committee for the upcoming Assembly Elections in the state.<ref>{{Cite web|authors=Durba Ghosh. PTI|date=9 May 2021|title=Dogged determination, hard work rewards Himanta Biswa Sarma with the CM's mantle|url=https://www.livemint.com/elections/assembly-elections/dogged-determination-hard-work-rewards-himanta-biswa-sarma-with-the-cm-s-mantle-11620559528405.html|url-status=live|access-date=22 September 2021|website=mint|language=en}}</ref> In May 2016, Sarma won the [[Jalukbari (Vidhan Sabha constituency)|Jalukbari constituency]] for the fourth consecutive term and was sworn in as Cabinet Minister on 24 May in [[Sonowal ministry]], in the first BJP Government in [[North East India]]. He was allotted portfolios like Finance, Health & Family Welfare, Education, Planning & Development, Tourism, Pension & Public Grievances.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Minister's Portfolio, Parliamentary Affairs, Government Of Assam, India|url=https://parliamentaryaffairs.assam.gov.in/portlets/ministers-portfolio|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171209022616/http://parliamentaryaffairs.assam.gov.in/portlets/ministers-portfolio|archive-date=9 December 2017|access-date=22 September 2021|website=parliamentaryaffairs.assam.gov.in}}</ref>

== Sports administrator==
On 23 April 2017, Sarma was unanimously elected as President of [[Badminton Association of India]]. Sarma has been the president of the Assam Badminton Association. He also became the president of the [[Assam Cricket Association]] in June 2016 when his party man Pradip Buragohain became the secretary. Sarma was also the longest-serving vice president of the association serving from 2002 to 2016.<ref>[http://www.assamtribune.com/scripts/detailsnew.asp?id=jun1316/sports054 Himanta Biswa Sarma becomes ACA chief]. ''Assam Tribune'' (13 June 2016). Retrieved on 31 August 2017. [https://web.archive.org/web/20180801064043/http://www.assamtribune.com/scripts/detailsnew.asp?id=jun1316/sports054 Archived] on 1 August 2018.</ref><ref>{{Cite web|authors=PTI|date=11 June 2016|title=Himanta Biswa Sarma Set To Become New Assam Cricket Association Chief|url=https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/himanta-biswa-sarma-set-to-become-new-assam-cricket-association-chief-1417278|url-status=live|access-date=22 September 2021|website=NDTV}}</ref>

25 March 2022, Sarma was re-elected as the president of [[Badminton Association of India]] for a second term of four years from 2022 to 2026 in general body meeting in Guwahati.<ref>{{cite news |last1=ANI |title=Himanta Biswa Sarma re-elected unopposed as BAI president |url=https://theprint.in/sport/himanta-biswa-sarma-re-elected-unopposed-as-bai-president/888807/ |access-date=31 March 2022 |work=ThePrint |date=25 March 2022}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Himanta Biswa Sarma re-elected as BAI president, Gopichand named among vice presidents |url=https://sportstar.thehindu.com/badminton/himanta-biswa-sarma-re-elected-bai-president-gopichand-named-among-vice-presidents-badminton-news/article38461848.ece |access-date=31 March 2022 |work=Sportstar |date=25 March 2022 |language=en}}</ref>

==Chief Minister of Assam==

{{main|Himanta Biswa Sarma ministry}}

=== Appointment ===
On 8 May 2021, Sarma along with Chief Minister [[Sarbananda Sonowal]] were summoned to [[New Delhi]], for discussions on the formation of a new government. Sarma and Sonowal held a series of meetings lasting more than 4 hours with [[List of presidents of the Bharatiya Janata Party|BJP President]] [[J. P. Nadda|J P Nadda]] and [[Minister of Home Affairs (India)|Home Minister]] [[Amit Shah]]. On 9 May Sonowal tendered his resignation to [[List of governors of Assam|Governor]] [[Jagdish Mukhi|Jagadish Mukhi]], ahead of a meeting the same day to decide the next Chief Minister.<ref>{{Cite news |last=PTI |date=9 May 2021 |title=Sonowal resigns as CM before BJP MLAs meet to elect new leader |url=https://www.business-standard.com/article/current-affairs/sonowal-resigns-as-cm-before-bjp-mlas-meet-to-elect-new-leader-121050900284_1.html |work=Business Standard India |access-date=8 May 2022}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=PTI |date=9 May 2021 |title=Sarbananda Sonowal tenders resignation, prior to election of new Assam CM |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/sarbananda-sonowal-tenders-resignation-prior-to-election-of-new-assam-cm/articleshow/82494934.cms |access-date=8 May 2022 |work=The Times of India}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=9 May 2021 |title=Sarbananda Sonowal resigns as chief minister; Assam BJP MLAs’ meet today |url=https://nenow.in/north-east-news/assam/sarbananda-sonowal-resigns-as-chief-minister-assam-bjp-mlas-meet-today.html |access-date=8 May 2022 |work=Northeast Now}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Parashar |first=Shipra |date=9 May 2021 |title=Assam CM Sarbananda Sonowal submits his resignation to Governor |url=https://zeenews.india.com/india/assam-cm-sarbananda-sonowal-submits-his-resignation-to-governor-2360742.html |access-date=8 May 2022 |work=Zee News}}</ref> Sarma’s name was proposed by the outgoing Sonowal, BJP state president [[Ranjeet Kumar Dass]] and newly elected MLA [[Nandita Garlosa]]. As no other name was presented to be chief minister, Sarma was unanimously elected as the BJP legislature leader.<ref>{{Cite news |last=PTI |date=9 May 2021 |title=Himanta Biswa Sarma set to become chief minister of Assam |url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/elections/assembly-elections/assam/himanta-biswa-sarma-set-to-become-chief-minister-of-assam/articleshow/82495260.cms |work=The Economic Times |access-date=8 May 2022}}</ref>

On 10 May 2021, Sarma was sworn in as the 15th Chief Minister of Assam by Governor [[Jagdish Mukhi|Jagadish Mukhi]], succeeding [[Sarbananda Sonowal|Sonowal]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Sharma |first=Vibha |date=9 May 2021 |title=Himanta Biswa Sarma is new chief minister of Assam |url=https://www.tribuneindia.com/news/nation/sonowal-tenders-resignation-prior-to-election-of-new-assam-cm-250327 |url-status=live |access-date=22 September 2021 |website=Tribune India}}</ref><ref name=":1">{{Cite news |date=10 May 2021 |title=Himanta Biswa Sarma sworn-in as 15th chief minister of Assam |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/himanta-biswa-sarma-neda-convenor-sworn-in-as-15th-chief-minister-of-assam/articleshow/82516855.cms |access-date=8 May 2022 |work=The Times of India}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=10 May 2021 |title=Himanta Biswa Sarma sworn in as Assam CM |url=https://www.thehindu.com/elections/assam-assembly/himanta-biswa-sarma-sworn-in-as-assam-cm/article34525379.ece |work=The Hindu |access-date=8 May 2022 |issn=0971-751X}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=ANI |date=10 May 2021 |title=Himanta Biswa Sarma sworn in as Chief Minister of Assam |url=https://www.business-standard.com/article/politics/himanta-biswa-sarma-sworn-in-as-chief-minister-of-assam-121051000395_1.html |work=Business Standard India |access-date=8 May 2022}}</ref> He was congratulated by [[Prime Minister of India|Prime Minister]] [[Narendra Modi]] on his appointment.<ref name=":1" />

=== Tenure ===
Sarma urged Muslims to adopt "decent family planning" in June 2021. He also stressed the need for a new law against illegal cattle smuggling in Assam.<ref>{{cite web |title=Adopt 'decent family planning' policy to reduce poverty: Assam CM Himanta Biswa Sarma tells Muslims |url=https://scroll.in/latest/997194/adopt-decent-family-planning-policy-to-reduce-poverty-assam-cm-himanta-biswa-sarma-tells-muslims |website=Scroll.in |publisher=Scroll |access-date=1 July 2021}}</ref> Mission Basundhara was launched under Sarma in 2021; it aims at helping residents with issues related to land and property.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Parashar|first=Utpal|date=21 September 2021|title=Assam Police arrest 450 land brokers in crackdown against 'Dalal Raj'|url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/assam-police-arrest-450-land-brokers-in-crackdown-against-dalal-raj-101632216371812.html|url-status=live|access-date=21 September 2021|website=Hindustan Times|language=en}}</ref> Assam government under his leadership has announced decision of converting 740 madrasas funded by state to normal schools.<ref>{{cite news |title=Assam: Bill to end practice of running madrassa by state govt tabled in Assembly; Congress, AIUDF oppose |url=https://www.timesnownews.com/india/assam/article/assam-govt-run-madrassas-to-shut-soon-bill-to-repeal-madrassa-education-act-to-be-introduced-today/699848 |access-date=17 February 2022 |work=Times Now |date=28 December 2020}}</ref>

==== Boundary dispute with Mizoram ====
{{See also|Northeast India border disputes}}

On 26 July 2021 [[Assam Police]] and [[Mizoram Police]] ([[Mizoram]] is a sister state of Assam on its southern boundary) fired upon each other supposedly part of the decades old [[Assam-Mizoram border dispute]]. Assam lost six police personnel and a civilian in the firefight, while one youth from Mizoram suffered a gunshot wound. Both sides charged each other with opening fire first.

Reports from news media indicate that on 24 July 2021, Himanta Biswa Sarma and [[Zoramthanga]] had a one-to-one talk about the boundary dispute where both agreed to settle the matter amicably through talks. Before this could take place, and only two days after the two Chief Ministers held their talks, this incident took place.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Saikia|first=Arunabh|date=28 July 2021|title=Does Assam CM's belligerence over border dispute mark turn from coalition builder to regional bully?|url=https://scroll.in/article/1001283/does-assam-cms-belligerence-over-border-dispute-mark-turn-from-coalition-builder-to-regional-bully|url-status=live|access-date=22 September 2021|website=Scroll.in|language=en-US}}</ref>

Days after skirmish which left dozens of others injured, the Assam government on 29 July 2021 issued a travel advisory, asking people of the state not to travel to [[Mizoram]] - the first such travel advisory by a state in the independent India.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Mazumdar|first=Prasanta|date=30 July 2021|title=Do not visit Mizoram: Assam travel advisory for its people|url=https://www.newindianexpress.com/nation/2021/jul/30/do-not-visit-mizoram-assam-travel-advisory-for-its-people-2337392.html|url-status=live|access-date=22 September 2021|website=The New Indian Express}}</ref> Himanta retracted from this advisory a day later.<ref>{{Cite web|date=30 July 2021|title=No curbs on travel to Mizoram, says Assam CM Himanta Biswa Sarma|url=https://www.newindianexpress.com/nation/2021/jul/30/no-curbs-on-travel-to-mizoram-saysassam-cm-himanta-biswa-sarma-2337810.html|url-status=live|access-date=22 September 2021|website=The New Indian Express}}</ref> Further, Assam's Home and Political Department said on 29 July that the police should carry out an intensive drive against drugs and check "all vehicles entering into Assam from Mizoram".<ref>{{Cite news|last=Bhardwaj|first=Ananya|date=31 July 2021|title=Mizoram says Assam govt order on checking of vehicles for drugs 'harassment', writes to MHA|work=ThePrint|url=https://theprint.in/india/mizoram-says-assam-govt-order-on-checking-of-vehicles-for-drugs-harassment-writes-to-mha/706891/|access-date=22 September 2021}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|last=Singh|first=Abhilash|date=30 July 2021|title=Mizoram Govt condemns Assam's order to check all vehicles from Mizoram|url=http://www.eastmojo.com/mizoram/2021/07/31/mizoram-govt-condemns-assams-order-to-check-all-vehicles-from-mizoram/|access-date=22 September 2021|website=EastMojo|language=en-US}}</ref>

== References ==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
* {{Commons-inline|Himanta Biswa Sarma}}
* {{Official website|http://www.himantabiswasarma.com}}
* {{Twitter}}
* {{Facebook |himantabiswasarma}}
* {{Cite web|title=(Article title in Assamese)|url=https://dainikjanambhumi.co.in/10052021/details.php?date=14-05-2014&page=1-8&article=5.jpg&cid=28664|url-status=live|access-date=10 May 2021|website=[[Dainik Janambhumi]]|language=as}}

{{Bharatiya Janata Party}}
{{Bharatiya Janata Party chief ministers}}
{{Chief Ministers of Assam}}
{{Current Indian Chief Ministers}}

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{{DEFAULTSORT:Sarma, Himanta Biswa}}
[[Category:1969 births]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:Chief Ministers of Assam]]
[[Category:Chief ministers from Bharatiya Janata Party]]
[[Category:Indian National Congress politicians from Assam]]
[[Category:Members of the Assam Legislative Assembly]]
[[Category:Bharatiya Janata Party politicians from Assam]]
[[Category:Politicians from Guwahati]]
[[Category:Gauhati University alumni]]
[[Category:Cotton College, Guwahati alumni]]
[[Category:People from Assam]]
[[Category:People from Guwahati]]
[[Category:People from Kamrup district]]
[[Category:State cabinet ministers of Assam]]
[[Category:Assam MLAs 2016–2021]]
[[Category:Assam MLAs 2006–2011]]
[[Category:Assam MLAs 2021–2026]]
[[Category:Badminton in India]]

Himanta Biswa Sarma - Revision history

UpdateBot at 12:19, 8 May 2022