When the reformist leader Dorjee Khandu is being sworn in as the new chief minister of the state, the high-voltage atmosphere in rebellion-hit Arunachal Pradesh, Congress Legislature Party came to an end. In a special session, held in Arunachal Pradesh`s capital Itanagar, Khandu was elected the leader of the CLP by voice vote in presence of All Indian Congress Committee observers P R Dasmunchi and Oscar Fernandes. Mr. Khandu was administered the oath of office and secrecy by Nagaland Governor K. Sankaranarayanan.

Dorjee Khandu was born on 3rd March 1955 at Gyangkhar Village to late Leki Dorjee. He belongs to the Monpa Tribe and has four sons and two daughters. On the occasion of Independence Day 2007, Dorjee Khandu gave speech in the honor of the nation to the people of Arunachal Pradesh "We can pay our real tributes to the great freedom fighters by working tirelessly to free ourselves from the shackles of poverty, ill-health, inequality, social injustice, intolerance and corruption. The Day also reminds me of my commitments to the people of Arunachal Pradesh. I and my cabinet colleagues shall continue to work devotedly with a renewed sense of purpose to fulfill the promises I have made on behalf of my Government. The very spirit of our freedom struggle was to seek freedom for every individual. Unless every Arunachalee is freed from hunger and poverty, we cannot enjoy the hard earned freedom of the country. To wipe out poverty from Arunachal Pradesh we need to develop our natural resources, particularly, hydropower. We must work hard and strive to achieve real freedom in life. Imbibed by this spirit, we shall make Arunachal Pradesh a peaceful, prosperous and happy abode."

Dorjee Khandu was in the Indian Army Intelligence Core and for more than seven years, he worked there. For the meritorious intelligence services during the Bangladesh War, he was conferred a gold medal. Upto the year 1980, he was Engaged in social activities for village people of Tawang district and looked after their welfare. In the year 1980, he was selected unanimously as the First ASM 1980. He worked in same capacity till 1983. Khandu also served as the Chairman of Culture and Co-operative Societies in those years. In 1982 due to his enthusiastic efforts, cultural and co-operative societies were established in Tawang and lead the cultural troupe representing Arunachal Pradesh in Delhi for ASIAD. He was conferred silver medal for good performance.

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.