New Delhi: Pema Khandu took oath today as the Chief Minister of Arunachal Pradesh for the third consecutive term, following the BJP’s resounding victory in the recent Assembly elections. Alongside him, eleven members of his cabinet were also sworn in during the ceremony held in Itanagar.
The oath was administered by Arunachal Pradesh Governor KT Parnaik. The event was attended by notable dignitaries, including Union Home Minister Amit Shah, BJP President JP Nadda, Union Minister Kiren Rijiju, and Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma.
Chowna Mein has been appointed as the Deputy Chief Minister in the new cabinet. The other ministers sworn in are Biyuram Waghe, Nyato Dukam, Gabriel Denwang Wangsu, Wanki Lowang, Pasang Dorjee Sona, Mama Natung, Dasanglu Pul, Balo Raja, Kento Jini, and Ojing Tasing. Notably, Dasanglu Pul, the wife of former Chief Minister late Kalikho Pul, becomes the first woman minister in the Arunachal cabinet after several decades.
In the state elections held concurrently with the general elections, the BJP secured 46 out of the 60 seats in the Arunachal Assembly.
Khandu, a former Congress leader, began his first term as Chief Minister in 2016, succeeding Nabam Tuki. Later that year, Khandu, along with 43 MLAs, shifted allegiance from the Congress to the People’s Party of Arunachal (PPA), an ally of the BJP. After a series of political maneuvers and a brief suspension from the PPA, Khandu solidified his leadership by leading 33 PPA lawmakers to join the BJP.
In the 2019 Assembly polls, Khandu led the BJP to a decisive victory, a feat he replicated in the recent elections.
Expressing his gratitude on social media after the election results were announced on June 3, Khandu stated, “I bow in gratitude to the great people of Arunachal Pradesh for their continued trust in the vision of PM Narendra Modi ji and the sincere efforts of Team Arunachal in taking care of the well-being of every section of society.”
He added, “Your overwhelming support to BJP4Arunachal is in sync with our collective commitment and endeavors 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 be derailed under any circumstances.”