Pema Khandu sworn in as Arunachal CM for third consecutive term
Guwahati: Pema Khandu on Thursday took oath as the chief minister of Arunachal Pradesh for the third consecutive term at a ceremony at the DK State Convention Centre in Itanagar.
Apart from him, Bhartiya Janata Party’s Chowna Mein was sworn in as the deputy chief minister for the second consecutive term.
Arunachal Pradesh Governor KT Parnaik administered the oath-taking ceremony.
Eleven other ministers also took the oath in the presence of Union Home Minister Amit Shah, JP Nadda, Kiren Rijiju, Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, and other dignitaries.
Ten other ministers — Biyuram Wahge, Nyato Dukam, Gabriel Denwang Wangsu, Wangki Lowang, Pasang Dorjee Sona, Mama Natung, Dasanglu Pul, Balo Raja, Kento Jini, and Ojing Tasing — were also sworn into the new cabinet.
The Arunachal CM was re-elected as leader of the BJP legislature party on Wednesday, paving the way for him to be sworn in as the chief minister.
Following this, Arunachal Pradesh governor lieutenant general KT Parnaik (retd) invited Khandu to form the government.
Khandu first became the chief minister of Arunachal Pradesh in 2016. He took oath as the CM for the second time as a BJP leader on May 29, 2019, after the saffron party won the assembly polls by bagging 41 of the total 60 seats.
In the recently concluded Arunachal Pradesh assembly election, the BJP won 46 out of the 60 seats simultaneously with the Lok Sabha polls.
The party had already won 10 seats unopposed before the polls.
The NPP, a constituent of the NDA government at the Centre, came second with five seats, the NCP won three seats, the PPA bagged two seats, and the Congress won one seat. The remaining three seats were secured by independent candidates.
Ahead of the oath-taking ceremony, Khandu, in a post on X (formerly known as Twitter) said, “We are committed to the development of our State, taking along all the citizens, including the tribes, for growth of all regions.”
“With the support of the people, we will work even harder to make Atmanirbhar Arunachal Pradesh a reality that will contribute vibrantly to the making of Viksit Bharat,” he added.