The Pema Khandu-led state cabinet has five new faces in Tage Taki, Mama Natung, Nakap Nalo, Tumke Bagra and Taba Tedir. The other cabinet ministers are Kamlung Mossang, Bamang Felix, Honchun Ngandam, Wangki Lowang, Alo Libang and Deputy Chief Minister Chowna Mein. Several senior MLAs are missing from the cabinet. The BJP, particularly Chief Minister Pema Khandu, has taken a huge gamble by inducting new faces into the cabinet. It always takes some time for new ministers to get adjusted to the work culture.
In the new Khandu cabinet, Lower Subansiri district has the highest representation in Tage Tagi and Taba Tedir, who represent Ziro and Yachuli assembly constituencies, respectively. Even though it is one of the most literate districts of the state, Lower Subansiri has been witnessing underdevelopment for the last one decade. The road infrastructure in the district is in a pathetic condition. One of the biggest compensation scams under the Trans-Arunachal Highway (TAH) project was reported from the district. The TAH remains a non-starter in Lower Subansiri. The onus lies on ministers Taba Tedir and Tage Taki to bring back the glory days of the district. It is the prerogative of the chief minister to select his cabinet team, but Khandu should have inducted at least one woman to send out a positive signal. Three women were elected on BJP tickets, but none of them was inducted into the cabinet. Also, some of the major communities have not found representation in the cabinet. In a sensitive tribal state, these issues should be handled carefully, so that no one feels left out.