Guwahati
Senior legal officer steps down ahead of formation of new NDA government in Assam state. Devajit Saikia on Thursday announced his resignation from the post of Advocate General of Assam following the completion of the tenure of the present state government led by Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma.
In a statement shared on X, Saikia said he had submitted his resignation on Wednesday in accordance with constitutional traditions and established practices followed after the end of a government’s term. He stated that his nearly five-year tenure as the state’s top law officer had formally concluded with the completion of the current administration’s tenure.
Saikia said that upholding constitutional conventions was important and therefore he chose to step down before the formation of the next government. He described his period in office as an “immense honour and privilege” and expressed gratitude to the political leadership, legal fraternity, and government officials for their support and cooperation during his tenure.
The senior legal officer thanked the Chief Minister, members of the Council of Ministers, government departments, fellow advocates, and judicial authorities for placing their trust in him over the years. He added that serving Assam in the constitutional position of Advocate General had been one of the most significant responsibilities of his professional career.
During his tenure, Saikia represented the Assam government in several major constitutional, administrative, and legal matters before different courts. He played a prominent role in handling important litigation involving the state government and was regarded as one of the key legal faces of the administration.
Apart from his responsibilities in the legal field, Saikia is also associated with Indian cricket administration. He currently serves as secretary of the Board of Control for Cricket in India and has remained actively involved in cricket management for several years.
His resignation comes just days before the swearing-in ceremony of the new BJP-led National Democratic Alliance government in Assam, which is scheduled to take place on May 12 in Guwahati.
Political observers believe the resignation follows a long-standing constitutional convention in which Advocate Generals often step down following the conclusion of a government’s tenure, allowing the incoming administration to appoint its own chief legal advisor.