In a ceremonial spectacle resonating with political fervor, Pema Khandu, a stalwart of the BJP, ascended to the esteemed position of Chief Minister of Arunachal Pradesh for an unprecedented third consecutive term, solemnizing his oath on Thursday. The august occasion witnessed Governor KT Parnaik administering the oath, amidst a distinguished gathering graced by the presence of Union Home Minister Amit Shah, BJP luminary JP Nadda, the dynamic Assam CM Himanta Biswa Sarma, and Sikkim’s venerable Chief Minister Prem Singh Tamang, among other dignitaries.

The ceremony, held at the resplendent Dorjee Khandu State Convention Centre, also heralded the induction of eleven other MLAs into ministerial roles. Notable figures among them included Deputy CM Chowna Mein, the illustrious former assembly speaker PD Sona, BJP’s astute state president Biyuram Wahge, and the esteemed Dasanglu Pul, widow of the late former CM Kalikho Pul.

Standing as the lone woman minister amidst a cohort of new faces, Dasanglu Pul embodies a beacon of gender inclusivity within the new cabinet, where freshness and diversity converge. Anticipation looms over the allocation of portfolios slated later in the day, preceding the inaugural cabinet meeting of the nascent administration. The BJP’s triumphant return to power in this northeastern bastion, securing a commanding 46 seats in the 60-member assembly, underscores a reaffirmation of popular mandate.

At 44, Khandu’s ascendancy to the helm of Arunachal Pradesh in 2016 marked his maiden foray as Chief Minister. His recent reelection as the torchbearer of the BJP Legislature Party in Arunachal Pradesh, a testament to his unwavering leadership, clears the path for his historic third term inauguration, signifying a continuum of visionary governance.