Khandu expands ministry

FROM OUR CORRESPONDENT

Itagar, Aug 3: Ending all speculations, Aruchal Pradesh Chief Minister Pema Khandu on Wednesday expanded his 16 days old ministry by inducting ten cabinet ministers.

State Governor Tathagata Roy administered the oath of office and secrecy to the newly appointed ministers during the swearing-in ceremony organised at the Darbar Hall of Raj Bhavan here.

The newly inducted ministers include Tanga Byaling, Rajesh Tacho, bam Rebia, Honchun Ngandam, Wangki Lowang, Kamlung Mossang, Tapang Taloh, Kumar Waii, Takam Pario and Jomde Ke.

Deputy Chief Minister Chow Mein, Speaker of State Legislative Assembly Tenzing Norbu Thongdok, Lok Sabha MP Ninong Ering, former chief minister bam Tuki, MLAs, senior bureaucrats and police officials were also present during the swearing-in ceremony.

On July 17 last, Khandu was sworn-in as the ninth Chief Minister of the State along with Chow Mein as the Deputy Chief Minister after months long political instability.

The swearing-in of the Cabinet ministers could not be conducted immediately as the Governor who is also in charge of Tripura was out of the State.

In a dramatic turround in the State on July 16 last, the Congress party replaced Chief Minister bam Tuki who was reinstated as the State Shief Minister after the Supreme Court judgement on July 13 last, by choosing Pema as the new CLP leader, who staked claim to power on the basis of support of 45 party MLAs along with two Independents.

In fast-changing developments, Khaliko Pul, rebel-turned chief minister, who was unseated by the Supreme Court, returned to the party fold with 30 dissident MLAs.

Hours ahead of a scheduled floor test in the Assembly on July 16, which Tuki was directed by the Governor to take, the Congress Legislature Party met and elected Pema, son of late chief minister Dorjee Khandu, as its new leader.

Tuki proposed the me of Khandu while Chow Mein seconded it, which was unimously accepted by 44 MLAs who were present. Speaker bam Rebia did not attend the meeting while ousted chief minister Khaliko Pul attended the meeting with the rebel MLAs.

In the 60-member House with an effective strength of 58, Congress now claims the support of 47 MLAs, including two independents.