Tarun Gogoi on Wednesday took oath as the chief minister of Assam for the third consecutive term.
Governor J B Patnaik administered the oath of office to Gogoi in a function at Darbar Hall of Raj Bhavan in presence of a host of dignitaries and the newly elected Congress legislators.
Union Minister for Development of North Eastern Region Bijoy Krishna Handique, Congress leader Vincent Pala, Meghalaya Chief Minister Dr Mukul Sangma, chief executive member of the Bodoland Territorial Autonomous District Council Hagrama Mohilary , Assam Pradesh Congress Committee president Bhubaneswar Kalita and senior Congress leader Chandan Bagchi were among the dignitaries present in the function. Gogoi's family members were also present at the function.
Immediately after taking oath as the CM, Gogoi told the media that the top priority for the new government would be to expedite the development process in the state, besides accelerating the on-going peace process with the various militant groups, including the United Liberation Front of Assam and the National Democratic Bodo Front.
"The people of Assam have voted us to power for the third consecutive term, not because of our speeches but for the development works we have carried out during the last ten years in the state. We will focus on development programmes that will help solve the issues of unemployment, poverty, illiteracy etc. We want to see a substantial increase in the state's per capita income in the next five years," Gogoi said.
Regarding the ongoing peace process with militant groups, Gogoi said, "Centre's peace interlocutor P C Haldar is in constant touch with all the militant groups. There will be efforts to expedite the peace process so as to find solutions sooner than later".
Gogoi is slated to leave for New Delhi on Thursday for finalisation of the council of ministers in consultation with the party high-command.
