Guwahati, May 13: The first session of the 16th Assam Assembly will convene for four days beginning May 21, Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma announced on Wednesday. Newly elected MLAs will take their oath during the session, which will be held on May 21, 22, 25, and 26.

Sarma confirmed that senior BJP legislator and former minister Chandra Mohan Patowary will serve as the pro tem Speaker. Governor Lakshman Prasad Acharya has been informed, and a formal notification will be issued soon. The Governor is scheduled to address the House on the opening day.

Following the oath-taking ceremony, MLAs will elect the Speaker of the Assembly. Former BJP minister Ranjeet Kumar Dass has already been declared the NDA’s candidate for the post.

Sarma noted that while the NDA government has begun functioning, the portfolios of the four ministers sworn in on Tuesday are yet to be announced. He added that the cabinet will be expanded after the assembly session.

The BJP-led NDA secured a third consecutive term in Assam, winning 102 seats in the 126-member assembly, reaffirming its political dominance in the state.