Dr. Himanta Biswa Sarma from Jalukbari: Early Life, Controversy & Political Career

Early Life:

Dr. Himanta Biswa Sarma was born on 1^st February, 1969 to Late Kailash Nath Sarma and Mrinalini Devi. He got married to Riniki Bhuyan Sarma in 2001 and he is blessed with one son and one daughter.

Education:

He has completed M.A in Political Science from Cotton College, in 1994. Sarma completed LLB from Gauhati University in 1995 and Ph.D. in Philosophy from Gauhati University, 2006 batch.

Career and Politics:

He practiced Law in Gauhati High Court between 1996 and 2001. He was elected to the Assam Legislative Assembly from Jalukbari Constituency for the first time in 2001 on a Congress (INC) ticket. He defeated Assam Gana Parishad leader Bhrigu Kumar Phukan (a key leader of the Assam Agitation of 1979). He was re-elected in 2006 and then for the 3^rd consecutive term in 2011.

Sarma held important positions as Minister of State for Agriculture, Planning and Development, Health, Education, and Finance in 2001. In 2006 he became Cabinet Minister, Health and Family Welfare, Information and Technology and Science and Technology. And in 2011 he held the position of Minister of Education, Health and Family Welfare and Implementation of Assam Accord. In 2014, Sarma resigned as a Minister due to political differences with the then Assam Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi of Congress. He also left the party.

On 23^rd August 2015 Sarma joined the Bharatiya Janata Party at New Delhi. Sarma was appointed as the convenor, Election Management Committee of Bharatiya Janata Party for the 14^th Assam Assembly Election in 2015. After joining BJP, Sarma won the 14^th Assembly Election 2016 and became a Cabinet Minister. He became the Minister of Finance, Health and Welfare, Education, Planning and Development, Tourism, Pension and Public Grievances.

He is contesting the 15th Assam Assembly Election (2021) from the Jalukbari constituency on a Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) ticket. This is his fifth Assam Assembly election.

Asset:

According to the nomination filed with the Election Commission of India, his total movable assets are worth Rs. 1.72 crore.