Former Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister found dead
Kalikho Pul, who was recently removed as Chief Minister of Arunachal Pradesh by a Supreme Court order, was found hanging at his official residence earlier today. His death is alleged to be a suicide but the police are yet to confirm. Until 2015, Kalikho Pul was formerly with the Congress but after a rebellion went on to become Arunachal Pradesh's CM with BJP's support.
Kalikho Pul: Early life
Pul belonged to a small ethnic-group called Kaman Mishmi which has around 2000 members. He came from very humble beginnings and endured a lot of hardship as he lost both his parents by age 13. In order to continue studying at night school, he sold paan and beedi. He learnt carpentry and sold furniture; he sometimes worked as a watchman for a meagre salary.
Kalikho Pul: Political life
Forty seven year old Kalikho Pul was the eighth Chief Minister of Arunachal Pradesh (AP); he served at the helm for four and a half months. He was a college student union leader for three years and in 1995 contested assembly elections as a Congress candidate. Out of 23 years as an MLA, Kalikho Pul served as a minister for 22 years.
Recent turbulence in political life
Kalikho Pul led the revolt of dissidents in the Congress Party leading to a political crisis that saw President's rule being imposed on January 26, 2016 in Arunachal Pradesh. Congress rebels joined People's Party of Arunachal and formed a government with BJP's support. Last month, the Supreme Court ruled the imposition of President Rule as unconstitutional and reinstated the Congress government at the state.
Former Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister found dead
Kalikho Pul, who was recently removed as Chief Minister of Arunachal Pradesh by a Supreme Court order, was found hanging at his official residence earlier today. His death is alleged to be a suicide but the police are yet to confirm. Until 2015, Kalikho Pul was formerly with the Congress but after a rebellion went on to become Arunachal Pradesh's CM with BJP's support.
Circumstances of death
He was found hanging from the ceiling fan in his bedroom. He was yet to vacate his official residence in Itanagar as his home was being renovated. Kalikho Pul is survived by his wife Dangswimsai and his five children.
BJP demands high-level probe into Pul's death
The BJP has demanded that an independent, high-level probe be conducted to ascertain the facts surrounding the untimely death of former Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Kalikho Pul. BJP National Secretary Shrikant Sharma said, "the people want to know the truth behind his death." He also pointed fingers toward the internal strife within the Arunachal Pradesh Congress as a possible reason behind Pul's apparent suicide.
Ex-Arunachal CM Pul's wife appeals for probe into suicide
Former Arunachal Pradesh CM Kalikho Pul's wife wrote a letter to the Chief Justice of India, demanding a CBI probe into her husband's death. She said there was sufficient information in his suicide note that warranted an investigation. She said she was receiving threats from the Arunachal Pradesh government. She called for a "free and fair probe...and action according to law."
