Senior BJP leader Ranjeet Kumar Dass was unanimously elected Speaker of the 16th Assam Legislative Assembly on Thursday, May 21, during the first session of the newly elected House in Dispur, Guwahati.
His election marks a notable moment in Assam’s legislative history, as Dass became the first person to be elected twice as Speaker of the Assam Legislative Assembly. He had earlier served in the post from 2016, when the BJP first came to power in the state.
Ranjeet Kumar Dass was unanimously elected Speaker of the 16th Assam Legislative Assembly on May 21 in Dispur, Guwahati. With this, he became the first person in Assam’s legislative history to hold the Speaker’s post twice. His election came as the new Assembly began its term after the recent state elections.
The development took place during the opening session of the 16th Assam Legislative Assembly, which began at the Assembly Chamber in Dispur. The session was summoned to begin at 9:30 AM on May 21, according to the Assembly notification issued after the Governor’s order.
For Guwahati, the election is significant because Dispur remains the centre of Assam’s legislative and administrative decision-making. The functioning of the Assembly directly shapes laws, debates, budgets and policy decisions that affect the state capital and the wider Assam region.
Pro-tem Speaker Chandra Mohan Patowary formally announced Dass’s election after no other nomination was filed for the post. India Today NE reported Patowary as saying that since there was no other nomination, Ranjeet Kumar Dass was declared Speaker of the 16th Assam Legislative Assembly.
Dass represents the Bhowanipur-Sorbhog constituency and has been elected to the Assam Assembly for four consecutive terms since 2011. He has also served as a cabinet minister during Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma’s previous term and has held organisational responsibilities within the BJP, including as the party’s Assam unit president.
Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma congratulated Dass and said the House would benefit from his insights and experience. Sarma also said he was confident that Dass would conduct the House smoothly while upholding the values and legacy of the Vidhan Sabha.
Sarma highlighted Dass’s journey from a humble background and referred to his career across public service, journalism and politics. He also mentioned Dass’s long association with the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh and the Bharatiya Janata Party, describing public service as a central part of his political journey.
As leader of the BJP Legislature Party, Sarma assured full cooperation to help the Assembly function with “100%” productivity during each session. The statement comes at the beginning of a new legislative term, when the House is expected to take up key matters of governance.
The first session of the new Assembly is scheduled to continue until May 26. Chief Minister Sarma had earlier said that newly elected MLAs would take oath on the first day, while the new Speaker would also be elected during the session.
The next focus will be on how the Assembly proceeds under Dass’s leadership during the opening session and future sittings. For citizens in Guwahati and across Assam, the Speaker’s role matters because the office is responsible for maintaining order, enabling debate and ensuring that legislative business is conducted according to Assembly rules.
Key Details
| Point | Details |
|---|---|
| Elected Speaker | Ranjeet Kumar Dass |
| Assembly | 16th Assam Legislative Assembly |
| Date | May 21, 2026 |
| Place | Dispur, Guwahati |
| Election | Unanimous |
| Historic note | First person to be elected Assam Assembly Speaker twice |
| Constituency | Bhowanipur-Sorbhog |
| Earlier tenure as Speaker | From 2016 during the BJP-led government |
Frequently Asked Questions
Who was elected Speaker of the 16th Assam Legislative Assembly?
Ranjeet Kumar Dass was unanimously elected Speaker of the 16th Assam Legislative Assembly on May 21, 2026, during the first session held in Dispur, Guwahati.
Why is Ranjeet Kumar Dass’s election historic?
His election is historic because he became the first person in Assam’s legislative history to be elected Speaker of the Assam Legislative Assembly twice.
Why does this matter for Guwahati?
It matters for Guwahati because the Assam Legislative Assembly functions from Dispur. Decisions taken in the House influence governance, laws and policies affecting the city and the rest of Assam.
Which constituency does Ranjeet Kumar Dass represent?
Ranjeet Kumar Dass represents the Bhowanipur-Sorbhog constituency and has been elected to the Assam Assembly for four consecutive terms since 2011.