Khandu to be sowrn in as new CM of Arunachal

Itanagar, Apr 9 (UNI) Ending his 22-year political stint as Chief Minister of Arunachal Pradesh, Mr Gegong Apang today resigned paving way for rebel leader Dorjee Khandu to steer the high seat, thereby bringing an end to the eleven-day political crisis in the state.

Apang was the first to propose the name of Mr Khandu, who would be sworn in as the new chief minister at 1800 hrs this evening.

However, the swearing-in ceremony for the rest of the Council of Ministers was yet to be finalized.

According to Congress sources, out of 33 Congress legislators, 25 supported the leadership of Power Minister Dorjee Khandu while five stood for Mr Apang during the crucial Congress Legislature Party (CLP) meeting convened this morning in presence of AICC North East In charge Oscar Fernandes and senior party leader and Minister for Information and Broadcasting Priyaranjan Dasmunsi as observer.

However, two MLAs could not attend the meeting due to ill health, sources added.

Early in the morning, all the rebel MLAs arrived at the state capital in three special choppers and later came to the venue together in a bus to avoid any manipulation from any quarters, sources informed.

''Mr Apang respecting the sentiments of the Congress legislators decided to resign and proposed the name of Mr Dorjee Khandu as the new CLP leader,'' Union Labour Minister and party's NE in charge Oscar Fernandes told reporters immediately after the CLP meeting.

When asked about the possibility of deputy chief minister's post, Mr Fernandes refused to say anything.

''The crisis was within the party and we resolved it amicably'', said Mr Dasmunsi adding, the new government would deliver the best to the people.

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