Krishnendu Paul not inducted in Cabinet again; Parimal Suklabaidya gets Transport - only Minister from Barak Valley

Putting an end to all the speculations, Chief Minister of Assam, Dr. Himanta Biswa Sarma has announced the expansion of his Cabinet. Barak Valley was filled with the anticipation that more MLAs from the Valley will be inducted to the Cabinet. Krishnendu Paul, MLA of Patherkandi was one of the names that surfaced. Despite the strong opposition, he has won his constituency twice. Lakhipur MLA, Kaushik Rai who was the former president of Cachar BJP was another name that surfaced.

The highlight of the Cabinet reshuffling remain addition of the two new ministers who have been inducted to the cabinet. Halflong and Nalbari constituencies’, Nandita Garlosa and Jayanta Malla Baruah are the new additions to the cabinet.

This was the first major reshuffle in Assam Government under Dr. Sarma. Some reshuffling has been done on the portfolios of existing ministers. Parimal Suklabaidya remains the lone representative in Cabinet from Barak Valley, however, the portfolio of Environment and Forest, which was under Suklabaidya, is now being given to Chandra Mohan Patowary. Apart from Excise and Fisheries, Parimal Suklabaidya has got the portfolio of Transport Minister.

Both of the new inductees have taken the oath administered by Governor professor, Jagadish Mukhi. The cabinet strength now stands at 16 with the introduction of the two new ministers.