Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma resigned Wednesday, submitting his resignation to Governor Lakshman Prasad Acharya at Lok Bhawan in Guwahati, following the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance's decisive win in the state assembly elections. The Governor has accepted the resignation of Sarma and his council of ministers and asked them to continue as caretaker government until a new administration is sworn in.

Central observers J.P. Nadda and Nayab Singh Saini have been appointed by the BJP to oversee the formation of the new legislature party leadership, party sources confirmed. The newly elected BJP MLAs will elect their leader, who will become the next Chief Minister; that decision is expected before May 12, when the oath-taking ceremony is scheduled. Prime Minister Narendra Modi is likely to attend the event, sources said.

Sarma told reporters the Governor had acknowledged his resignation and permitted the outgoing cabinet to function in a caretaker role. He said the party leadership had not yet fixed a date for the legislature party meeting. The BJP's alliance partner, the Asom Gana Parishad, held its internal meeting and unanimously supported Sarma's reappointment as Chief Minister, electing Atul Bora as its legislative leader.

The BJP-led NDA is set to stake claim to form the government once the legislature party elects its leader. The Governor will then invite the chosen leader to form the government. The swearing-in ceremony is expected on May 12.