Fifty-six year-old Khandu, who became the Chief Minister twice, was with the Indian Army’s Intelligence wing for seven years and received a gold medal for rendering meritorious services during the Indo-Pak War that led to the creation of Bangladesh.
Becoming an Anchal Samiti member in 1980, he turned his focus to social work in far-flung villages. He helped arranging drinking water supplies, electricity and communication and also setting up schools in remote areas of Tawang, his home district. This helped him consolidate his standing among the masses when he replaced Gegong Apang as Chief Minister of the State in 2007.
Born on March 3, 1955 in Gyangkhar village in Tawang district, Khandu belonged to Monpa tribe and was a Buddhist with little formal education. He has four wives, four sons and two daughters.
His political innings started in 1983 when he was elected uncontested as the District Vice President of the West Kameng District Zilla Parishad.
In March 1990, he was elected uncontested to the Assembly from the Mukto constituency. Khandu was re-elected to the Assembly in March, 1995 from the same constituency and was given the portfolio of Minister of State for Cooperation. On September 21, 1996, he was elevated to Cabinet rank.
In 1999, he was elected to the Assembly and served as the Power Minister from 1998 to 2006.
Khandu revolted against Apang in 2007. After taking over as the Chief Minister on April 9, 2007, he promised to reopen the State-owned Apex Cooperative bank lying defunct for two years after an over Rs 200 crore loan scam was unearthed.
Within few weeks, Khandu secured a loan of Rs 225 crore from NHPC and invested it into the bank, enabling it to reopen. In 2009, he was again elected unopposed to the Assembly and became the Chief Minister for second time on October 25, 2009.
The Rs 24,000-crore special package announced by Prime Minister here on January 31 last year made Khandu’s popularity soar even further. – PTI
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