NEW DELHI — India’s ruling party’s juggernaut in northeastern states was halted on Sunday with the swearing in of the Congress-party-led government in the state of Arunachal Pradesh.
Pema Khandu, 37, was sworn in as the new chief minister of Arunachal Pradesh in Itanagar on Sunday, thus bringing the curtains on a high-voltage political drama in which the Congress managed to outwit the BJP in keeping it out of power.
The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) of the Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi recently made major inroads in the far-flung region where it had negligible presence in the past. Recently, it won a landslide majority in Assam, the biggest and the most prominent state in the region.
Governor Tathagata Roy administered the oath of office and secrecy at a simple function at the Raj Bhavan.
Chowna Mein, who was deputy chief minister in the Kalikho Pul government, was sworn in as deputy chief minister in the new government. Former Chief Ministers Nabam Tuki and Kalikho Pul also attended the swearing-in function.
Speaking to reporters post the ceremony, former CM Nabam Tuki said: “Differences have ended once for all,party stands united & everyone will work together for dev of state.”
Congress leader Chowna Mein, who was sworn in as deputy CM, added: “Now that the issues (within the party) have been resolved, look forward to work in co-operation to fulfill our responsibilities.”
At 37, Khandu is the third youngest chief minister of Aruanchal Pradesh. The state’s first chief minister Prem Khandu Thungon was 29 while Gegong Apang, the third and longest-serving, was 31 at the time of anointment.
