A biography that reads like a political thriller

The rise of Himanta Biswa Sarma, who took over as the chief minister of Assam in May 2021, represents important transitions in Indian politics. His emergence as a strong regional leader in the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) after a long stint in the Congress party illustrates how Indian polity has changed from being Congress centric to BJP centric. His rise is also a symbol of how Indian politics is increasingly breaking free from its dynastic clutches and emerging as a domain of merit. The transition of the BJP as a party that thrives beyond the cow belt and fosters talent beyond the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh, is also illustrated by Himanta’s rise. From the boy wonder of the Assam Agitation to the student leader who shook things up; from the astute back-room operator to the consummate administrator; from mass leader and ideologue to a chief minister, Himanta’s is a story of several twists and turns, of many movements and mentors, of numerous battles and allegiances. This is a story that goes well beyond one man and his state.