Khandu expands ministry in Arunachal Pradesh

Itanagar, Apr 16: Ending all speculations, Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Dorjee Khandu expanded his ministry by inducting 11 ministers in the cabinet rank today.

Governor S K Singh administered the oath to the ministers in a simple ceremony held in Darbar Hall at Rajbhawan here this evening.

Among those sworn-in, Nabam Tuki, Tanga Byaling Chowna Mein, C C Singpho, Tako Dabi, Tatar Kipa, Lombo Tayeng, Newlai Tingkhatra, Kaliko Pul were all in the previous Gegong Apang-led ministry.

However, Jarbom Gamlin, who was earlier the Home Minister in the Apang's council of ministers and later dropped in 2005, has been re-inducted, while, Atum Welly, who was a minister in Mr Apang's predecessor Mukut Mithi's government was also inducted into the ministerial birth.

However, only Tsering Gyurme, who was in the Apang's council of ministers has been denied.

Portfolios to the newly-elected ministers are likely to be distributed within a few days.

In the 60-member Legislative Assembly, Congress has 33 legislators, BJP 9, NCP 2, Arunachal Congress 2 and Independent has 14.

Earlier, after a 11-day-long political drama, over the change in leadership in the state, Mr Khandu toppled his predecessor Gegong Apang by the support of 25 Congress legislators on April 9 last.

UNI