In Assam, Tankeshwar Rabha was sworn in for a third consecutive term as the Chief Executive Member (CEM) of the Rabha Hasong Autonomous Council (RHAC) on Sunday. The swearing-in ceremony was held at the RHAC Secretariat in Dudhnoi and witnessed participation from a host of senior leaders and officials. Assam Chief Minister Dr. Himanta Biswa Sarma attended the event as the chief guest and made a strong pitch for granting constitutional status to the RHAC.
The oath-taking ceremony marked the formal induction of the newly elected RHAC members, who were voted into office following the council elections held on April 2. Apart from Tankeshwar Rabha’s appointment as CEM, Sonaram Rabha and Alka Rabha were sworn in as Speaker and Deputy Speaker, respectively. The remaining 33 members also took oath in a collective ceremony overseen by top administrative officials.
In his speech, Chief Minister Sarma expressed appreciation for the high voter turnout, noting the participation rate of 70% in Goalpara district and 67.55% in Kamrup district. He praised the democratic enthusiasm of the Rabha community and emphasized the inclusive nature of the electoral process.
Dr. Sarma also outlined a roadmap for strengthening the RHAC and addressing the long-standing demands of the Rabha people. He announced that a tripartite meeting would be held before Independence Day, involving the Assam Government, RHAC representatives, and Union Home Minister Amit Shah. The dialogue aims to explore the possibility of granting constitutional recognition to the council—an issue that has been a key demand of the Rabha community for years.
In another major announcement, the Chief Minister said a Rabha Development Council would be set up by August to cater to the welfare of Rabha people living outside RHAC areas. He also revealed plans to erect a 100-foot tall statue of Raja Dadan, a revered figure in Rabha history, within the council’s premises as a symbol of cultural pride and identity.
While the Model Code of Conduct prevented the announcement of new developmental schemes due to the upcoming panchayat elections, Sarma assured that adequate funds would be allocated for all 36 RHAC constituencies once the elections conclude. These funds, he said, would be dedicated to boosting infrastructure and promoting overall regional development.
The event was attended by several dignitaries, including Assam BJP President Dilip Saikia, Cabinet Ministers Dr. Ranoj Pegu and Jayanta Malla Baruah, Guwahati MP Bijuli Kalita Medhi, Goalpara Deputy Commissioner Khanindra Choudhury, and RHAC Principal Secretary Pranjal Choudhury. Representatives from various Rabha organizations were also present to witness the historic occasion.
April 2 Election Results Recap:
The RHAC polls held earlier this month saw a resounding victory for the Rabha Hasong Joint Struggle Committee and its allies, who secured 33 out of the total 36 seats. The Congress managed to win a single seat, while two independent candidates also emerged victorious.
Goalpara District (20 Seats):
Among the key winners from the Joint Struggle Committee were Tonkeshwar Rabha, Anadi Sarkar, Phanindra Rabha, and Prabodh Kalita. BJP candidates Bhairav Kachari, Suchitra Nath, and Premajyuli Rabha also registered victories. Congress candidate Parama Rabha and independent Modit Rabha were among the few non-alliance winners.
Kamrup District (16 Seats):
In Kamrup, the Joint Platform claimed most of the seats. Prominent winners included Sonaram Rabha, Jyotish Chandra Rabha, Romakanta Rabha, Minati Boro, and Ashok Kumar Rabha. BJP’s Ajit Rabha, Meghali Rabha, and Kamaleswar Rabha also won. Relinna J. Sangma triumphed as an independent from Luki.