Pema Khandu has cemented his place as the longest-serving Chief Minister in the Northeast, surpassing Tarun Gogoi of Assam, following his oath-taking ceremony in Arunachal Pradesh.
Assuming office on July 17, 2016, Pema Khandu has maintained his position as Chief Minister, completing 8 years in office.
Tarun Gogoi, a prominent leader of the Indian National Congress, held the Chief Ministerial position in Assam from 2001 to 2016.
Pema Khandu succeeded his father, the late Dorjee Khandu, in the Mukto seat under the Congress banner in 2011, later securing re-election in 2024.
Taking office at the age of 36 on July 17, 2016, Khandu initially joined the People’s Party of Arunachal (PPA) with 43 legislators, before switching allegiance to the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in December of the same year with 33 legislators.
Reaffirming his popularity, Khandu secured a landslide victory in the 2019 Assembly elections, winning 41 out of 60 seats and returning as Chief Minister for a second term.
On June 13, 2024, Pema Khandu was administered the Oath of Office and Secrecy by Arunachal Pradesh Governor Tathagata Roy, under Article 164(1) of the Indian Constitution.
