Factfile: Dorjee Khandu

Dorjee Khandu was a leader of the Indian National Congress and the ex-chief minister of Arunachal Pradesh. He became the sixth chief minister of the state on 9 April 2007, replacing the powerful Gegong Apang, who had ruled the state for 23 years. After the victory of his party in the Arunachal Pradesh state assembly elections, 2009 he was sworn in for his second term as the chief minister on 25 October 2009.

Khandu, born in Gyangkhar village in Arunachal was a former army intelligence officer rewarded for his exploits during the Bangladesh war and had turned a social activist before joining politics in 1980.

He was elected unopposed to the Legislative Assembly of Arunachal Pradesh in March 1990 from Mukto constituency. Khandu was re-elected in March 1995 from the same constituency and was given the portfolio of minister of state for cooperation. In 2007, He replaced powerful Apang as the Chief Minister who had ruled the tribal state for 23 years.

Khandu went missing after his Pawan Hans helicopter, which departed from Tawang at 10:56am local time, failed to arrive in Itanagar at its scheduled 11:30am landing time on 30 April 2011.

The other political activities which he served are :

•1983 – 87 : Elected uncontested as District Vice President, West Kameng district Zilla Parishad 1983 – 87.
•1987 – 1990 : Engaged in Intensive Social Works and Brought Water Supply, Electricity, Communication, Schools Religious Institutions etc., to far flung villagers from 1987 to 1990.
•1990 : Elected uncontested to the First Legislative Assembly of the State of Arunachal Pradesh in March, 1990 from Thingbu – Mukto constituency.
•1995 : Re – elected to Second Legislative Assembly of the State of Arunachal Pradesh in March, 1995 from the same constituency. Minister of State for Cooperation from 21.03.1995.
•1996 : Cabinet Minister for Animal Husbandry & Veterinary, Dairy Development from 21 September, 1996.
•1998 : Minister, Power from 2006 – 1998.
•1999 : Elected to Third Legislative Assembly of the State of Arunachal Pradesh in October, 1999.
•2002 : Minister for Mines, Relief & Rehabilitation from 15 October, 2002 to 27 July, 2003.
•2003 : Minister for Relief & Rehabilitation and Disaster Management.
•2004 : Re – elected unopposed from Mukto constituency in 2004 assembly election; Minister, Power, NCER, and relief and rehabilitation