Venkat Dev Mahanta, the Always Active Man, Gets Another Term as Special Assistant to Assam CM

Himanta Biswa Sarma has returned as the Chief Minister of Assam for a second consecutive term, this time with an even bigger mandate of 102 MLAs backing the NDA government. Over the years, the “HBS model” of governance has come to be associated with speed, constant movement, quick decision-making and a tightly coordinated team that works around the clock alongside the Chief Minister.

Being Himanta Biswa Sarma is not easy. One morning he is in Kokrajhar reviewing development projects, by afternoon he is in New Delhi holding meetings with Union Ministers for Assam’s interests, and by night he is back in Barak Valley listening to public grievances or reviewing flood preparedness. Behind this relentless style of governance is a team of people who understand his pace, his vision and his way of functioning.

One familiar face constantly seen beside the Chief Minister over the last five years has been Venkat Dev Mahanta. Whether during floods, election campaigns, administrative inspections, meetings in Delhi or public interactions across districts, Venkat Dev Mahanta was often quietly present beside HBS, coordinating things behind the scenes.

Now, as Himanta Biswa Sarma begins his second term, Venkat Dev Mahanta has once again been reappointed as Special Assistant to the Chief Minister of Assam. Hirak Goswami has also been reappointed as Special Assistant to the Chief Minister. Both share a great chemistry to for work the Assam CM and hight effective team spirit.

What makes Venkat effective is not just his administrative presence, but his human approachability. Within journalist circles, public representatives and people, Venkat has built a reputation for being accessible, responsive and calm under pressure.

Originally from Tezpur, Venkat Dev Mahanta comes from an academic background. Apart from academics, he was actively associated with student and youth organisations.

Those close to the CMO also say the same energy is reflected in Hirak Goswami, who too is known for responding quickly to public and media queries related to the Chief Minister’s Office.