Second coming for Dorjee Khandu too

Dorjee Khandu, who led the Congress to a spectacular win in the assembly elections, will be sworn in as Arunachal's chief minister for a second consecutive term on Sunday. The Congress Legislature Party (CLP) unanimously elected the incumbent chief minister as its leader on Saturday. At a six-hour-long meeting attended by AICC observers V Narayanswami, L Faleiro and Sanjoy Bapna, it gave the party high command the authority to choose its leader. “Madam Sonia has decided that incumbent Chief Minister Dorjee Khandu should continue in his post for the fifth legislative assembly, too,” Narayanswami said. The Congress chief has congratulated Khandu and asked him to continue as CM in the greater interest of the state and the party, he added. Khandu first became chief minister on October 9, 2007, succeeding Gegong Apang following a revolt against the latter by a majority of party legislators. After the CLP meeting, Khandu went to the Raj Bhavan to stake claim to form a new government. It is still not clear if he will take the oath of office alone or along with other ministerial colleagues. Some party insiders said Khandu will be sworn in alone as the Congress high command was yet to clear the names of other members of the council of ministers. Earlier in the day, Governor Gen (retd) J J Singh asked him to continue in office till a new ministry was formed. Khandu said the new government will work for the fulfilment of the promises made by the Congress in its election manifesto. He exhorted party MLAs to help him take the state forward on the path of development.