JOIN USKhandu sworn in as CM
Khandu was administered the oath of office and secrecy by the Governor of the state, Gen (retd) J J Singh.
Later at a press conference, Khandu said his ministry would be expanded within 10 days and that he would go to Delhi on Monday to get the list of council of ministers approved by Congress president Sonia Gandhi.
Fifty-four-year-old Khandu, who returns as chief minister for a consecutive second term, revolted and dislodged the powerful Gegong Apang, who had ruled the state for 23 years, in 2007.
In Sunday’s glittering oath-taking ceremony at the Durbar hall of the Raj Bhavan, Apang was seen sitting in the front row along with AICC observer V Narayansami, CWC member Luizinho Falerio and AICC secretary Sanjay Bapna.
From joining politics as an anchal samiti member in 1980 to being the chief minister of Arunachal Pradesh for the second time, ex-army officer Dorjee Khandu, a veteran of Bangladesh war, has come a long way.
Fifty-four-year-old Khandu was with the Indian Army Intelligence Corps for seven years and received a gold medal for rendering meritorious services during the Bangladesh War.
He later turned his focus to social work in the far-flung villages where he arranged for drinking water supplies, electricity and communication and also set up schools.
This helped him consolidate his standing among the masses when he replaced Gegong Apang as chief minister of the state in 2007.
He led a cultural troupe to 1982 Asiad in Delhi from Tawang his home district which won a silver medal. Khandu was elected uncontested to the First Legislative of Arunachal Pradesh in March, 1990 from the Mukto constituency.
He was re-elected to the second Legislative Assembly in March, 1995 from the same constituency and was given the portfolio of Minister of State for Cooperation.
In 1996 he was elevated to the cabinet rank and given Animal Husbandry & Veterinary, Dairy Development department. In 1999 he was elected to the Third Legislative Assembly and became the power minister.
Khandu revolted against Apang in 2007. When the Congress high command first refused to accept Khandu as a replacement for Apang as chief minister, he went to New Delhi with most party legislators and stayed put for 10 days till the AICC leaders relented.