Chief Minister Pema Khandu, who played a key role in the BJP's undisputed success in Arunachal Pradesh, has toured three parties in his eight-year tenure as chief minister. Khandu is the son of former Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Dorjee Khandu. Khandu died in a helicopter crash in 2011. Pema Khandu was elected unopposed from the seat which fell vacant after his father's death.
He was a minister in the Congress government. Notably, Pema Khandu was elected unopposed to the Assembly in 2011, 2014, 2019 and now in 2024. Pema Khandu was elected Chief Minister in 2016 at the age of 36 when the Congress was in power. The BJP was in power at the Centre then. Pema Khandu then joined hands with the BJP. All 43 Congress MLAs in Arunachal Pradesh have joined the People's Party of Arunachal (PPA). Within a few days, a power struggle began in the People's Party. He joined the BJP along with 33 of his 43 MLAs.
In 2016, the Congress had chosen Pema Khandu as the chief minister. A few days later, he joined the People's Party of Arunachal and became the Chief Minister of Arunachal Pradesh. He later returned to the BJP and became the chief minister. Despite the political journey of three parties in the last eight years, his chief ministership has remained intact.
There are indications that Pema Khandu will continue as the chief minister as his role will be crucial in bringing the BJP back to power. In Arunachal Pradesh, 10 candidates were elected unopposed. This was the beginning of the BJP's downfall. The BJP won 46 of the 60 seats.