Pema Khandu Takes Oath As Arunachal CM For Third Straight Term, State Welcomes First Woman Minister

Pema Khandu took oath as chief minister of Arunachal Pradesh for the third term in a row on Thursday. Eleven other MLAs were also sworn in as ministers at the function held in the Dorjee Khandu State Convention Centre. Among them was Dasanglu Pul, the widow of former CM Kalikho Pul, the state’s first woman minister.

Khandu and other ministers were sworn in by Governor KT Parnaik in the presence of Union Home Minister Amit Shah, BJP president JP Nadda, Assam CM Himanta Biswa Sarma and Sikkim Chief Minister Prem Singh Tamang, among others.

After taking the oath, the Chief Minister thanked the Narendra Modi-led government for continuous overall support to Arunachal Pradesh and hoped the support would continue.

Apart from Khandu, BJP MLA Chowna Mein was sworn in as his deputy. Further party legislators Biyuram Wahge, Nyato Dukam, Gabriel D Wangsu, Wangki Lowang, PD Sona, Mama Natung, Dasanglu Pul, Balo Raja. Kento Jini and Ojing Tashing also took the oath of office as Ministers in the Arunachal government.

Dasanglu Pul is the first woman to hold the post of a cabinet minister in Arunachal Pradesh.

Portfolio allocation for all the ministers will be done shortly, as per sources, who said the Khandu-led government will be working to focus on the election manifesto.

The BJP returned to power in Arunachal Pradesh for the third time in a row, winning 46 seats in the 60-member assembly. Khandu was re-elected unopposed from the Mukto seat in the border district of Tawang.

During the assembly polls held simultaneously with the Lok Sabha elections on April 19, Khandu campaigned on a platform of corruption-free governance, emphasizing transparency and people-centric policies.

Pema Khandu: Life Beyond Politics

During his two terms as Chief Minister, Khandu emerged as a prominent leader in the northeastern state, especially following a constitutional crisis in 2016 that resulted in the imposition of president’s rule.

Known for his enthusiasm for sports and music, Khandu is recognized for his strategic acumen which played a crucial role in bringing the BJP to power for the first time in the northeastern state bordering China in 2016.

His political journey commenced amidst personal tragedy, with the untimely demise of his father, former Chief Minister Dorjee Khandu, in a helicopter crash in 2011. Khandu’s political ascent gained momentum when he won a by-election uncontested from his father’s constituency Mukto.

Serving initially as the tourism minister in Nabam Tuki’s Congress government, Khandu’s leadership trajectory soared following a constitutional crisis in January 2016 that led to the imposition of president’s rule.

Upon the lifting of central rule, he became a minister in the Kalikho Pul-led government, supported by the BJP. However, this government was short-lived, and Tuki was restored as Chief Minister following Supreme Court intervention.

Khandu subsequently became the Chief Minister in July 2016 at the age of 37. In 2019, Khandu was re-elected from the Mukto assembly seat and assumed office as Chief Minister without political obstacles.

A Buddhist by faith, Khandu is renowned for his cultural contributions, particularly in music beyond his politics.

An avid music enthusiast, he enthrals audiences with renditions of classics by Kishore Kumar and Mohammad Rafi at official gatherings.

Sports is another passion for Khandu, who actively organizes cricket tournaments and supports local athletes, nurturing talent across various disciplines including football, cricket, badminton, and volleyball.

A history graduate from Delhi’s Hindu College, Khandu belongs to the Monpa tribe, primarily inhabiting Tawang and parts of West Kameng.