Itanagar: In a dramatic turnaround in Arunachal Pradesh, the Congress party on Saturday replaced Chief Minister Nabam Tuki by choosing a new leader Pema Khandu, who staked claim to power on the basis of support of 45 party MLAs along with two Independents. In fast-changing developments, Khaliko Pul, rebel-turned chief minister, who was unseated by the Supreme Court, returned to the party fold with 30 dissident MLAs. Hours ahead of a scheduled floor test in the Assembly, which Tuki was directed by Governor Tathagat Roy to take, the Congress Legislature Party met and elected 37-year-old Pema Khandu, son of the late chief minister Dorjee Khandu, as its new leader.

(Right) Former Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Nabam Tuki was replaced by Pema Khandu