MadhurjyaSarbananda Sonowal was born on October 30, 1962, in Chabua Molok Gaon, located in Assam’s Dibrugarh district. He is the youngest among eight siblings born to Late Shri Jibeswar Sonowal, a farmer, and Smt. Dineswari Sonowal. His elder siblings include Misto Prasad Sonowal, Girish Sonowal, Duleswar Sonowal, Nareswar Sonowal, and Devanada Sonowal, along with two sisters, Dalimi Saikia and Rumi Saikia.
Educational Achievements
Sonowal pursued his education with great dedication. After graduating with a degree in Arts from Dibrugarh’s D.H.S.K. College, he earned his Bachelor of Criminal Justice from Dibrugarh University and later completed an LLB from Gauhati University. He specialized in public relations and journalism during his studies, which became valuable in his leadership journey.
Early Leadership Roles
From 1992 to 1999, Sonowal served as the President of the All Assam Students’ Union (AASU), Assam’s oldest student body. He was also the president of the North East Students’ Organisation (NESO), highlighting his leadership at a young age. His impactful work earned him the title of “Jatiya Nayak” (Hero of the Nation) from AASU after his legal efforts led to the Supreme Court striking down the Illegal Migrants (Determination by Tribunal) Act in 2005.
Entry into Politics
In 1999, Sarbananda Sonowal transitioned from student politics to mainstream politics, joining the Asom Gana Parishad (AGP). He contested the Lakhimpur Parliamentary Constituency but faced defeat. However, his persistence bore fruit when he was elected as an MLA from the Moran constituency in 2001. From 2004 to 2009, he represented the Dibrugarh Constituency in Parliament as its first non-Congress MP since Independence.
Association with BJP
Ahead of the 2011 Assam Assembly elections, Sonowal joined the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) under the leadership of Nitin Gadkari. He quickly rose through the ranks, becoming a member of the BJP National Executive and later serving as the State Spokesperson. In 2012, he was appointed as the BJP’s Assam state president.
During the 2014 General Elections, the BJP achieved a historic victory in Assam, winning 7 out of 14 seats. Sonowal himself won from Lakhimpur Constituency with an overwhelming margin of nearly 3 lakh votes. Following this success, he was appointed as the Union Minister of State for Sports and Youth Affairs in Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s government.
Chief Minister of Assam
In the 2016 Assam Assembly elections, Sonowal was chosen as the BJP’s Chief Ministerial candidate, marking a significant moment in the state’s political history. He contested from the Majuli constituency and defeated sitting Congress MLA Rajib Lochan Pegu by a margin of 18,923 votes. Under his leadership, the BJP achieved a record-breaking victory, winning 60 seats, with coalition partners AGP and Bodoland People’s Front adding 14 and 12 seats respectively.
On May 24, 2016, Sarbananda Sonowal was sworn in as the 14th Chief Minister of Assam in a grand ceremony attended by Prime Minister Narendra Modi at Khanapara Field in Guwahati. His tenure marked a turning point in Assam’s political landscape, characterized by a focus on development and good governance.
Key Highlights
- First non-Congress MP from Dibrugarh since Independence.
- Played a crucial role in striking down the IMDT Act, earning him the title “Jatiya Nayak.”
- Led the BJP to its first-ever Assembly election victory in Assam in 2016.
- Known for prioritizing youth empowerment, sports development, and regional growth.
Sarbananda Sonowal’s journey from a humble background in Chabua to becoming one of Assam’s most prominent leaders is a testament to his commitment, resilience, and dedication to the people of the state.
FAQ’s:
Q 1. Who is Sarbananda Sonowal?
Sarbananda Sonowal is an Indian politician from Assam, known for being the 14th Chief Minister of Assam (2016-2021) and a prominent leader in the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).
Q 2. What is the birthplace of Sarbananda Sonowal?
He was born on October 30, 1962, in Chabua Molok Gaon, Dibrugarh district, Assam.
Q 3. Which student organization did Sarbananda Sonowal lead?
He served as the President of the All Assam Students’ Union (AASU) from 1992 to 1999 and also led the North East Students’ Organisation (NESO).
Q 4. Why is Sarbananda Sonowal called ‘Jatiya Nayak’?
He was given the title “Jatiya Nayak” (Hero of the Nation) by AASU after the Supreme Court struck down the Illegal Migrants (Determination by Tribunal) Act in 2005, following his legal efforts.
Q 5. When did Sarbananda Sonowal join the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)?
He joined the BJP in 2011, before the Assam Assembly elections, in the presence of leaders like Nitin Gadkari and Bijoya Chakravarty.
Q 6. Were Sarbananda Sonowal’s major contributions as Assam’s Chief Minister?
As Chief Minister (2016-2021), he focused on infrastructure development, controlling illegal immigration, empowering youth and sports, and fostering regional unity.
Q 7. Constituency did Sarbananda Sonowal represent in the Lok Sabha?
He represented the Lakhimpur constituency in the 2014 General Elections and was previously an MP for the Dibrugarh constituency (2004-2009).
Q 8. What educational qualifications does Sarbananda Sonowal hold?
He holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from D.H.S.K. College, a Bachelor of Criminal Justice from Dibrugarh University, and an LLB from Gauhati University, with a specialization in public relations and journalism.
Q 9. What was Sarbananda Sonowal’s role in the BJP’s success in Assam?
As the BJP State President from 2012, he led the party to its first Assembly victory in 2016, forming a coalition government and marking a significant political shift in Assam.
Q 10. Position does Sarbananda Sonowal hold currently?
As of now, Sarbananda Sonowal serves as a Union Minister in Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s government, overseeing portfolios like Ports, Shipping, and Waterways, along with Ayush.
Neha Baruah
Madhurjya
