Pema Khandu Sworn In Again

Weeks after the BJP won a landslide victory in the Assembly elections, Pema Khandu swore in as chief minister of Arunachal Pradesh for a record third time today. Additionally, eleven cabinet members were sworn in.

KT Parnaik, the governor of Arunachal Pradesh, swore in Mr. Khandu and the other ministers during a ceremony in Itanagar. Among those in attendance were Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, Union Home Minister Amit Shah, and Ministers JP Nadda and Kiren Rijiju.

Pema Khandu Sworn In Again
Image by The Statesman

Arunachal's new cabinet will have Chowna Mein as deputy chief minister. The remaining members of the group are Ojing Tasing, Mama Natung, Dasanglu Pul, Balo Raja, Biyuram Waghe, Nyato Dukam, Ganriel Denwang Wangsu, Wanki Lowang, and Pasang Dorjee Sona. Finally, after decades, Arunachal Pradesh has a female minister in the form of Dasanglu Pul, the late Kalikho Pul's wife.

State votes were conducted in conjunction with the general election, and the BJP secured 46 of the 60 seats in the Arunachal Assembly.

44-year-old Former Congressman Khandu took over as Chief Minister in 2016 when Nabam Tuki was dismissed. He led 43 MLAs who later defected from the Congress to the People's Party of Arunachal, an ally of the BJP, later that year. Dramatic events ensued when Mr. Khandu was suspended by the PPA leadership. After 33 PPA MPs joined the BJP, the Chief Minister subsequently demonstrated his majority in the Assembly.

He guided the BJP to a resounding victory in the 2019 Assembly elections, and he did it again in the current election.

"I bow in gratitude to the great people of Arunachal Pradesh for their continued trust in the vision of PM Narendra Modi ji and sincere efforts of Team Arunachal in taking care of the well-being of every section of society," Mr Khandu posted on X after results of the state polls were declared on June 3.

"Your overwhelming support to BJP4Arunachal is in sync with our collective commitment and endeavours to take the state to the zenith of inclusive development. It's our firm resolve not to let the process of building a self-reliant Arunachal Pradesh derailed under any circumstances," he added.