Kalikho Pul: From modest beginnings to chief minister of Arunachal Pradesh

Former chief minister of Arunachal Pradesh and rebel Congress leader Kalikho Pul's death on Tuesday morning shocked political circles across the country. He was found dead at the chief minister’s official residence in Itanagar, which he was yet to vacate. Pul, who was 47-years-old, allegedly hanged himself from the ceiling fan in his bedroom, a top police officer said. Reports suggest he has been suffering from depression. After the news of his death spread, MLAs from ruling and Opposition parties, ministers, friends and members of public rushed to his bungalow. Pul took over the reigns of the state on 19 February this year and served as chief minister for a four-and-a-half months. After becoming the chief minister, Pul and his supporters joined the Peoples Party of Arunachal (PPA), a regional political outfit. However, in July, the Supreme Court reinstated Nabam Tuki as the chief minister, who then made way for Pema Khandu as the 10th chief minister of Arunachal Pradesh. [caption id=“attachment_2944502” align=“alignleft” width=“380”]  File photo of late former Arunachal Pradesh chief minister Kalikho Pul. Photo: PTI.[/caption] After the apex court’s verdict, Pul and his supporters returned to the Congress and supported Khandu. Pul, who represents Hyuliang constituency in eastern Arunachal Pradesh, has been winning from the constituency for the last five terms. He had served in various capacities in the Arunachal Pradesh Cabinet, including as the finance minister, power minister and tribal affairs minister. After he became the chief minister, Pul had requested the Centre to consider special funding for the state on the lines of Special Plan Assistance (SPA) in a bid to ensure continued investment in critical infrastructure. “The sense of neglect and apprehension that people have felt due to lack of development for long, has now to be met with action on the ground. We must ensure that the communities are given the basic amenities of life and a competitive standard of living, in comparison with other parts of the country,” he had said. Pul’s political career had humble beginnings. Before joining politics, Pul worked as a carpenter and a chowkidar. Later, he was hailed as the longest serving finance minister of the state under various chief ministers, including Gegong Apang, Mukut Mithi and late Dorjee Khandu. Born on 20 July, 1969, to Tailum Pul and Koranlu Pul at Walla Village under Hawai circle of Anjaw district, Pul had pursued his graduation in humanities from Indira Gandhi Government College at Tezu in Lohit district. His political innings started in 1995 when he was elected as an MLA from Hayuliang constituency and became the minister of state for finance in the Mukut Mithi government. In an interview with The New Indian Express after he became the chief minister, Pul said that he couldn’t attend regular school, however, he later enrolled in an adult education centre. Recalling his health and financial struggles in the 80s, he had said, “One day, I made up my mind to commit suicide and walked up to the bridge over the river Lohit. I stood there for 36 minutes but couldn’t take the extreme step due to the presence of people.” There was no looking back for Pul as he won from the constituency consecutively for five terms and served Minister of State for Power, Finance, Land Management. Pul began as deputy minister for finance (1995-97), then became minister of state for power (1997-99), MoS for finance (1999-2002), MoS for land management (2002-03), and finally minister for finance (2003-05) before he was made chairman of a high-powered committee and simultaneously adviser to the CM for about a year. In 2006-09, he once again served as minister of finance, then minister of rural works (2009-11), and then health. Between 2011 and 2014, he was also made adviser to the CM, then again made a minister in 2014. He was also the executive member of Arunachal Pradesh Congress Committee for 13 years and Pradesh Election Committee Member for seven years. Mourners gathered at his residence in Itanagar following the news of Pul’s death. Condolence messages poured in from all quarters. Senior Congress leaders, including Sonia and Rahul Gandhi and former chief minister Nabam Tuki, expressed shock and grief over the untimely demise of the rebel Congress leader. President Pranab Mukherjee remembered his contribution  in politics. With inputs from agencies