New Chief Minister Khandu expands his ministry in Arunachal

Itanagar, Apr 15 (UNI) Arunachal Pradesh chief minister Dorjee Khandu tonight expanded his week-old Congress ministry by inducting eleven ministers, all in cabinet ranks.

Governor S K Singh administered the oath and secrecy of office to the ministers in a function at Raj Bhavan.

The new ministers are Nabam Tuki, Tanga Byaling, Chowna Mein, C C Sinpho, Tako Dabi, Tatar Kipa, Lombo Tayeng, Newlai Tingkhatra, and Kaliko Pul, all members of the previous Gegong Apang-led Congress ministry.

Mr Jarbom Gamlin, who was earlier Home minister in the Apang ministry and dropped in 2005, has been reinducted while Atum Welly, who was minister in the Mukut Mithi government, also got a miniterial berth.

However, Tsering Gyurme, who was in the Apang government, has been denied a post in the new government.

The new ministers' port folios are likely to be distributed in a day or two.

Congress has 33 MLAs, BJP nine, NCP two, Arunachal Cognress two and independents 14 in the 60-member house.

After an eleven-day long political drama over changing of leadership, Mr Khandu toppled his predecessor Apang, claiming the support of 25 Congress legislators on April 9, and was sworn-in as the Chief Minister the same day.

UNI