Former Arunachal Pradesh chief minister Kalikho Pul, who had to step down from the chief ministerial post, was found hanging from the ceiling at the chief minister’s residence on Tuesday. Pul's frustration at being removed from the CM post is being termed as the reason behind his alleged suicide. It is said he could not accept the Supreme Court order which had termed his appointment illegal.
A young and talented former Congress politician from the state, Pul was seen as a future leader of the Congress. But in February 2016, he pulled the plug at the last moment and led a breakaway group of Congress members to form government in Arunachal Pradesh with the support of the BJP. However, two weeks back, Supreme Court restored the Congress government.
Though Congress regained power, it changed its chief minister bowing to pressure from the rebels. Nabam Tuki was replaced by Pema Khandu on July 17.
Political sources in Arunachal Pradesh have confirmed that Pul was frustrated with the way he was ousted despite the fact he proved his majority in the House.
The court had observed that previous chief minister Tuki was not given a chance to prove his majority and the President's rule was imposed by the Union government. Sources said Pul was eager to fight his case again as he was all set to go to the upper bench against the order.
“He was very frustrated and could not accept his removal. He said he would accept the verdict but it would be difficult. He wanted to fight the case and took it personally,” BJP MLA, T. Taga said.
Pul was yet to vacate his chief ministerial residence as his residence was being decorated by the new government. Sources said he would have vacated the residence in a few days.
Belonging to the poorest of the poor family in Arunachal Pradesh, Pul used to be a daily labourer after losing his parents at a tender age. He worked in a tea stall and financed his education. He became a student union leader when he was in college in Itanagar. The experience as the college union leader made him a good orator and a Congress MLA in 1995. Though he was a senior member of the Congress, he was not in good terms with the CM.