With the death of Chief Minister Dorjee Khandu confirmed after the recovery of his body along with the wreckage of the chopper,the next big question in Arunachal Pradesh is: who will succeed him? Though not declared openly,as many as three prominent Congress leaders appear to be in the race for the top post,with the state now looking to the AICC to take the final call. It is up to the AICC and the party high-command to decide, said Bijoy Krishna Handique,Union Minister for Development of Northeastern Region,who has been camping in Itanagar for the past four days. Two other central ministers,V Narayansamy and Mukul Wasnik,however,have returned to the national capital. Sources in Itanagar said the three top contenders for the CMs post include Power Minister Jarbom Gamlin,PWD and Urban Development Minister Nabam Tuki and Rural Development Minister Kalikho Pul,of which Tukis chances seem to be the brightest because he is also president of the Pradesh Congress Committee. While Tuki has been one of the most trusted associates of Khandu,the deceased CM had made Gamlin the official spokesman of his government for all practical purposes. A graduate from St Stephens,New Delhi,Gamlin,who was home minister in the Gegong Apang ministry during the late 1990s,later played a significant role in ousting Apang and installing Mukut Mithi as CM. Another senior minister Setong Sena,Speaker in the previous Assembly before becoming finance minister after the 2009 elections,is also said to be in the race.
