Assam’s Powerful Cabinet Minister Resigns

A cabinet minister of the Assam state government sent a letter of resignation to Assam Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi and Speaker of Assam Legislative Assembly, sources said.

Reports say the Education and Health Minister of Assam state government, Dr. Himanta Biswa Sarma sent a letter to Assam CM and Speaker of Assam Legislative Assembly to discuss his resignation from the ministry on August 15.

Meanwhile, the Assam CM Tarun Gogoi has not clarified the matter so far.

During a press conference held in Guwahati on Sunday, Gogoi said the minister is absent while working in the departments.

“The ministry will be reshuffled within a short period,” the Chief Minister said.

It is said that Dr. Himanta Biswa Sarma has been absent from his office since August 16.

The Chief Minister said there was no need to panic over the absence of Dr. Sarma.

Four Assam ministers visited Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka and discussed the situation with the state government and security agencies. The ministers requested more security for the people of the North eastern region including Assam.

Hemanta Kumar Nath is a correspondent in Assam, India, who reports on local news in Assam, the north east Indian state.