Itanagar: Pema Khandu was on Sunday sworn in as the ninth Chief Minister of Arunachal Pradesh marking the culmination of fast-paced political developments in this north-eastern state.
Meanwhile, Chowna Mein taok oath as Deputy CM of Arunachal Pradesh.
Itanagar: Chowna Mein takes oath as Deputy CM of Arunachal Pradesh pic.twitter.com/PKnuKsk16E
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Hours ahead of the scheduled floor test in the Assembly on Saturday which Chief Minister Nabam Tuki was directed by the governor to take, the Congress Legislature Party had elected Pema Khandu, in place of Tuki, who was restored to the Chief Minister's post earlier this week after the apex court verdict.
Son of late Chief Minister Dorjee Khandu, who died in a chopper crash in 2011, the 37-year-old graduate from Delhi's prestigious Hindu College had an early entry into governance after his father's demise.
Read: Pema Khandu likely to be the youngest chief minister of India
And in five years, he has emerged as the chief ministerial prospect after Supreme Court's intervention that changed the course of politics in the state with dissidents returning to Congress.
Khandu was on Saturday chosen as the new leader of Congress Legislature Party after 44 party MLAs unanimously elected him in the place of Chief Minister Nabam Tuki, who was restored to the post only two days ago after the apex court verdict.
Khandu, who hails from Tawang, bordering China, first entered the Arunachal Pradesh assembly in 2011 to fill the vacancy caused by his father's death. His election as MLA from Mukto (ST) constituency was uncontested and he was soon included in the state government as Cabinet Minister for Water Resource Development and Tourism.
Read: 'Team Arunachal' to work for state's development: Pema Khandu
He had joined the Congress in early 2000 and became Secretary of Arunachal Pradesh Congress Committee in 2005 and President of Tawang District Congress Committee in 2010.
Khandu was re-elected unopposed from Mukto in the 2014 assembly elections.
In a volte-face, ousted chief minister Khaliko Pul, also returned to the party fold with 30 dissident MLAs.
In the 60-member House with an effective strength of 58, Congress now claims the support of 47 MLAs, including two independents.
