Sarbananda Sonowal became the first Bharatiya Janata Party chief minister of Assam on Tuesday, after he took his oath to office with 11 ministers at Khanapara Veterinary College in Guwahati. Hours before the ceremony, Sonowal, 53, told NDTV that his government would ensure full protection for all communities. Reiterating his party's poll promises, such as the crack down on illegal migration, he said it will be dealt with at the highest level.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, along with senior Union ministers and several BJP chief ministers, attended the ceremony. The BJP and its allies Asom Gana Parishad and Bodoland People's Front won 86 constituencies in the 126-seat state Assembly. The elections were held in two phases on April 4 and 11, and the results were declared on May 19.