In a significant political development, Pema Khandu has been sworn in as the Chief Minister of Arunachal Pradesh for the third successive term. The swearing-in ceremony, held at the Dorjee Khandu Convention Centre in Itanagar, saw Governor KT Parnaik administering the oath of office and secrecy to Khandu in the presence of distinguished leaders including Union Home Minister Amit Shah, BJP President JP Nadda, and several other dignitaries.
Pema Khandu, representing the Mukto assembly seat in Tawang, has emerged as a prominent leader in Arunachal Pradesh politics. The 44-year-old leader, hailing from the Monpa tribe, has been pivotal in BJP’s rise in the region since joining the party.
The ceremony also witnessed the oath-taking of Chowna Mein, who served as the Deputy Chief Minister in the previous Khandu-led governments since 2016. Additionally, ten other cabinet ministers were sworn in, with eight new faces among them. Notably, Dasanglu Pul, the lone woman minister, and PD Sona, the former Speaker, were among those taking the oath.
The event was attended by several prominent leaders including BJP National President JP Nadda, Union Home Minister Amit Shah, Chief Ministers of Assam Himanta Biswa Sarma and Sikkim’s Prem Singh Tamang, along with Lok Sabha MPs from Arunachal Pradesh, Kiren Rijiju, and Tapir Gao.
Pema Khandu’s re-election as the leader of BJP’s new MLAs was unanimous, reflecting the party’s strong position in the state. The BJP secured 46 out of the total 60 seats in the recent elections, with Khandu and Mein among the candidates who won their seats unopposed.
Khandu’s political journey gained momentum after the tragic demise of his father, former Chief Minister Dorjee Khandu, in a helicopter crash in 2011. A graduate in History from Hindu College, Delhi, Pema Khandu’s leadership has been instrumental in shaping BJP’s presence in Arunachal Pradesh, with his constituency Mukto bordering China.
As Pema Khandu embarks on his third term as Chief Minister, expectations are high regarding his administration’s focus on development, governance, and addressing the challenges facing the state.
Sources By Agencies
