'People's Blessing & Modi Ki Guarantee': CM Pema Khandu After BJP Clinches Massive Mandate In Arunachal Pradesh

Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Pema Khandu expressed his gratitude for the electoral victory of the BJP, attributing it to the support of the people.

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) government, under the leadership of Chief Minister Pema Khandu, secured a majority in the 60-member Assembly, clinching 46 seats. With this, Khandu is expected to retain his position as the Chief Minister. Addressing the media, Khandu expressed his gratitude for the overwhelming support received by the saffron camp. 

"We consider this victory as the people's blessing. The party has once again been entrusted with the responsibility to work after this victory. The success of Modi's guarantee is evident. We are fully confident that this time we will cross the four hundred mark," Khandu said. 

"The level of road infrastructure development achieved is remarkable. Winning uncontested is the greatest proof of democracy. The Congress had not done justice to the Northeast and had filled it with corruption. We are cleaning up their mess and corruption," he added. 

When asked who would be the face for the CM post or the possibility of him continuing to lead the government, Khandu said, "Whatever decision the party makes will be accepted, and it will decide who will be the Chief Minister. Our party operates on discipline, and we are all workers".

In an X post, Khandu, "I bow in gratitude to the great people of Arunachal Pradesh for their continued trust in the vision of Hon'ble PM Shri Narendra Modi ji and sincere efforts of Team Arunachal in taking care of the well-being of every section of society."

Notably, ten BJP candidates, including Khandu and Deputy Chief Minister Chowna Mein, secured victories without contest, while polling took place for the remaining 50 seats on April 19. 

In the electoral fray, State BJP president Biyuram Wahge emerged victorious from the Pakke-Kessang constituency, defeating Techi Hemu of the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) by a margin of 813 votes. Former Union Minister Ninong Ering, who switched allegiance from the Congress before the polls, won from the Pasighat (West) seat for BJP, triumphing over Tapyam Pada of NCP by a margin of 2,871 votes. 

Pema Khandu, at 44, holds the distinction of being the youngest Chief Minister in the country. He succeeded his father, former Chief Minister Dorjee Khandu, who was killed in a helicopter crash in 2011 near Luguthang in Tawang district bordering China.