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Pema Khandu was sworn in as Chief Minister of Arunachal Pradesh for the third consecutive term. The swearing-in ceremony, which took place amid tight security arrangements, witnessed the presence of prominent leaders including Union Home Minister Amit Shah, BJP President J.P. Nadda, Union Minister Kiren Rijiju, and Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma.

 

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) secured a sweeping victory in the April 19 Assembly elections, winning 46 out of 60 seats, as per the Election Commission's data.

 

Of these, 10 seats were won uncontested, reflecting the stronghold of the BJP in the northeastern state. The saffron party has now formed the government for the third consecutive term in Arunachal Pradesh.

 

Chief Minister Pema Khandu, who is a prominent face of the BJP in the state, was among the 10 candidates who won unopposed. Khandu, 44, has had a notable political journey, beginning in 2016 after the death of his father, former Chief Minister Dorjee Khandu, in a helicopter crash in 2011. Initially a member of the Congress party, Khandu first assumed the role of Chief Minister in 2016. Shortly thereafter, he led a mass exodus of Congress MLAs to the People's Party of Arunachal (PPA), only to be expelled from the PPA in December 2016. Subsequently, Khandu and his supporters joined the BJP, leading to his second term as Chief Minister in 2019 following another decisive BJP victory.

 

Alongside Khandu, Chowna Mein was sworn in as the Deputy Chief Minister. Additionally, 11 other MLAs took the oath as ministers, solidifying the new administration. The presence of high-profile BJP leaders at the event underscored the importance of this victory for the party.

 

The National People's Party (NPEP) secured five seats, while the People's Party of Arunachal (PPA) won two. The Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) captured three seats, and the Congress managed to win just one. Independent candidates Wanglam Sawin, Tenzin Nyima Glow, and Laisam Simai won the Khonsa, Thrizino-Buragaon, and Nampong seats, respectively.