Pema Khandu set to retain post as Chief Minister of Arunachal Pradesh for third time

Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Pema Khandu is set to take oath for a third consecutive term after the BJP secured 46 seats in the recently concluded Assembly elections. Top BJP leaders including Union Minister Kiren Rijiju and BJP central observer Ravi Shankar Prasad also called on the Governor of Arunachal Pradesh — Lieutenant General KT Parnaik (retd.) — on Wednesday and staked claim to form the government. The development came mere hours after the senior politician was re-elected as the party's Legislature Party leader in the north-eastern state. 

“I am grateful to our fellow BJP MLAs for placing their faith in me. I also put on record my sincere thanks to our MPs, party leaders, and workers for working day in and day out in ensuring resounding win the polls. Now, let's work together harder to further speed up the pace of all-round growth in Arunachal Pradesh and realize the goal of inclusive Viksit Bharat by 2047,” the CM-designate tweeted.

The CM-designate has been invited to form the government and take oath at 11 am on June 13. Reports suggest that the swearing-in ceremony will be attended by Union Ministers Amit Shah and JP Nadda as well as the Chief Ministers of other northeastern states.

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A meeting of the newly-elected BJP MLAs was held on Wednesday evening in the presence of BJP central observers Ravi Shankar Prasad and Tarun Chugh. Kandu was unanimously elected as the leader of the legislative party during the meeting. 

The BJP had managed to retain its grip on the state during the polls held simultaneously with the Lok Sabha election — winning 46 seats in the 60-member Arunachal Pradesh assembly.

(With inputs from agencies)