{{Short description|Indian politician}} {{Use dmy dates|date=August 2021}} {{Use Indian English|date=August 2021}} {{Infobox officeholder | honorific_prefix = | name = Kalikho Pul | image = Kalikho Pul.jpg | birth_date = {{birth date|1969|7|20|df=yes}}<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.ndtv.com/people/kalikho-pul-rise-from-a-remote-village-to-chief-minister-of-arunachal-pradesh-1279363 | title=Kalikho Pul: Rise From A Remote Village To Chief Minister Of Arunachal Pradesh | work=NDTV | date=20 February 2016 | accessdate=19 August 2016}}</ref> | birth_place = Walla, Hawai, Anjaw, North-East Frontier Agency, India | death_date = {{death date and age|2016|8|9|1969|7|20|df=yes}} | death_place = {{nowrap|Itanagar, Arunachal Pradesh, India}} | alma_mater = | spouse = Dangwimsai Pul,Dasanglu Pul | children = 6 (2 Deceased) | party = Indian National Congress (until 2016)<br /> People's Party of Arunachal (2016) | order1 = 8th | office1 = Chief Minister of Arunachal Pradesh | term_start1 = 19 February 2016 | term_end1 = 13 July 2016 | predecessor1 = President's rule | successor1 = Nabam Tuki | office2 = Member of Legislative Assembly | term_start2 = 1995 | term_end2 = 9 August 2016 | predecessor2 = Khapriso Krong | successor2 = Dasanglu Pul | constituency2 = Hayuliang | occupation = Politician }}
'''Kalikho Pul''' (20 July 1969 – 9 August 2016) was an Indian politician and former Chief Minister of the north-eastern state of Arunachal Pradesh for a brief time in 2016.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/Arunachal-will-see-repeat-of-Kargil-warns-minister/articleshow/44965917.cms|title=Arunachal will see repeat of Kargil, warns minister |date=29 October 2014 |location=New Delhi |newspaper=The Times of India}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://indianexpress.com/article/india/politics/arunachal-pradesh-supreme-court-kalikho-pul-congress-rebel-bjp-support/|title=Two months on, the moment arrives for Arunachal's CM-in-waiting|date=19 February 2016|newspaper=Indian Express |publisher=Indianexpress.com|accessdate=15 June 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last1=Rautray |first1=Samanwaya |url=http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/politics-and-nation/congress-leader-kalikho-pul-to-form-alternate-government-in-arunachal-pradesh/articleshow/51048941.cms|title=Congress leader Kalikho Pul to form alternate government in Arunachal Pradesh – The Economic Times|website=Economictimes.indiatimes.com|date=19 February 2016 |accessdate=15 June 2016}}</ref> He was elected five times from the Hayuliang Vidhan Sabha constituency representing the Indian National Congress. With the support of a few elected members of Congress and the opposing Bharatiya Janata Party, he took Chief Ministership of Arunachal Pradesh. However, the Supreme Court of India ruled against this appointment on various grounds. On 9 August 2016, Pul allegedly committed suicide by hanging at his official residence in Itanagar; Pul's supporters protested in Itanagar demanding an investigation by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI).
== Early life == Pul was born on 20 July 1969 in the Walla village of Hawai,<ref name="Kalikho Paul1">{{cite news |title=Kalikho Pul: A rise from humble beginnings to CM's chair |url=https://www.thehindubusinessline.com/news/national/kalikho-pul-a-rise-from-humble-beginnings-to-cms-chair/article8963833.ece |access-date=20 February 2021 |publisher=Business Line |date=17 January 2018 |language=en}}</ref> Anjaw district and belonged to the Kaman Mishmi ethnic group.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.hindustantimes.com/india/kalikho-pul-arunachal-s-minority-cm-with-half-his-tribe-in-china/story-bzSOfFaxKMkRYhQApQ7n2H.html|title=Kalikho Pul: Arunachal's 'minority' CM with half his tribe in China|newspaper=Hindustan Times|date=20 February 2016|publisher=Hindustantimes.com|accessdate=15 June 2016}}</ref>
Pul was 13 months old when his mother Koranlu died. His father Tailum died when he was around six years old after which he lived with his aunt's family and helped support the family by collecting firewood. He left school and when he was 10 years old joined a carpentry course at the Hawai Craft Centre where he earned {{INRConvert|1.50}} per day as stipend. He also worked as a tutor there on temporary basis. He joined a night school on the advice of Mr. Ram Naresh Prasad Sinha, the Headmaster of Hawai Middle School in the mid eighties.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://thewire.in/58173/obituary-kalikho-pul/|title=Remembering Kalikho Pul, the Headmaster's Bright-Eyed Pupil From Walla Basti|newspaper=The Wire|date=11 August 2016|publisher=Thewire.in}}</ref> Impressed by Mr. Pul's progress, Mr Sinha took steps regarding his direct admission in the 6th standard. In that context, he prepared him for a welcome speech at a function held at the school where the education minister Khapriso Krong and Lohit Deputy Commissioner D S Negi were to be present. As Kalikho was able to impress the audience with his speech and a patriotic song, Mr. Sinha admitted Pul in Hawai Middle School besides offering him a place in the school hostel. As there was no official scholarship for poor students, the headmaster, with support from the Circle Officer of Hawai; was able to manage the job of watchman for Kalikho at the Circle Office, Hawai which paid him {{INRConvert|212}} monthly. In his final year of school, he was nominated as the student representative with the title of General Secretary. Pul later earned a living by opening a paan shop, making bamboo fences and thatched houses, and building concrete structures. Later, he graduated in economics (part of Humanities stream) from Indira Gandhi College, Tezu<ref name="Kalikho Paul1" /> and also studied law.<ref name="Suicide">{{cite web|url= http://www.newindianexpress.com/nation/Kalikho-Pul-has-spoken-of-attempting-suicide-earlier/2016/02/22/article3289842.ece |title= Kalikho Pul has spoken of attempting suicide earlier |date=22 February 2016 |author= Mazumdar, Prasanta |accessdate=9 August 2016}}{{dead link|date=February 2024|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}</ref>
In an interview Pul mentioned that he did not believe in God, stating; "I don’t believe in God because had He been there, I wouldn't have suffered."<ref name="Suicide"/>
In the 1980s, Pul suffered from a chronic gastric problem for six years and was not able to get financial help for the treatment. He considered committing suicide by jumping over the bridge in River Lohit but said that he could not "take the extreme step due to the presence of people".<ref name="Suicide"/> He received financial help from Deputy Commissioner Negi and then completed his treatment.<ref name="Suicide"/> He had special interest in social service, community service and attending to poor and destitute persons.<ref name="Kalikho Paul1" />
== Political career == Pul contested the Hayuliang Vidhan Sabha constituency and won elections in 1995, 1999, 2004, 2009 and 2014 contesting as an Indian National Congress candidate.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.elections.in/arunachal-pradesh/assembly-constituencies/hayuliang.html | title=Sitting and previous MLAs from Hayuliang Assembly Constituency | work=Elections.in | date=11 January 2014 | accessdate=9 August 2016}}</ref> He contested and won his first election in the year 1995 when he was elected as MLA from Hayuliang constituency and was made the Minister of State for Finance in the Mukut Mithi government.<ref name="Kalikho Paul1" /> Pul handled various portfolios of Finance, Tax & Excise, and Health & Family Welfare. His roles in State Government were deputy minister for finance (1995–97), minister of state for power (1997–99), MoS for finance (1999-2002), MoS for land management (2002–03).<ref name="Kalikho Paul1" /> He was State Finance Minister under Chief Minister Gegong Apang from 2003 until 2007.<ref>{{cite web|author= |url=https://www.oneindia.com/2007/02/12/apang-to-formally-inaugurate-anjaw-district-on-feb-14-1171264181.html |title=Apang to formally inaugurate Anjaw district on Feb 14 – Oneindia |website=Oneindia |date=12 February 2007 |access-date=14 June 2016}}</ref> He was again Finance Minister until November 2011.<ref name="Finance"/> He was also made chairman of a high-powered committee and simultaneously adviser to the CM for about a year.<ref name="Kalikho Paul1" />
Between 2011 and 2014, he was made adviser to the Chief Minister.<ref name="Kalikho Paul1" /> After the 2014 elections, he took charge of the Health & Family Welfare ministry while Nabam Tuki was the Chief Minister. He expressed concerns about opium addiction among youth and announced de-addiction centres in affected districts. He also launched a community horti-farming project in Anjaw district, aimed at providing technical support and marketing assistance to farmers of products such as cardamom, kiwis, plums, apples and oranges.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://nabamtuki.org/political/website/nabamtuki/index.php/media-archives/development/469-state-s-health-and-family-welfare-minister-kalikho-pul-launches-community-horti-farming-project-in-anjaw-district.html |title=State's Health and Family Welfare Minister, Kalikho Pul launches community horti-farming project in Anjaw District |work=Nabam Tuki Website |accessdate=10 August 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160919205543/http://nabamtuki.org/political/website/nabamtuki/index.php/media-archives/development/469-state-s-health-and-family-welfare-minister-kalikho-pul-launches-community-horti-farming-project-in-anjaw-district.html |archive-date=19 September 2016 |url-status=dead }}</ref> During his tenure as Health & Family Welfare Minister he also complained that his "attempts to improve the state's health indicators were often met with roadblocks when it came to acquiring funds to meet staff and medicinal shortages".<ref name="Punished">{{cite web|url=http://www.telegraphindia.com/1150404/jsp/northeast/story_12521.jsp#.V6qmEWe6bcs |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150709102846/http://www.telegraphindia.com/1150404/jsp/northeast/story_12521.jsp#.V6qmEWe6bcs |url-status=dead |archive-date=9 July 2015 |title=Punished for doing job: Pul |work=Telegraph India |date= 4 April 2015|accessdate=10 August 2016 |author= Dodum, Ranju |place=Itanagar}}</ref> This led to differences with other cabinet ministers and he was removed from the cabinet in December 2014. In April 2015 he was expelled from the party for six years for alleged anti-party activities.<ref>{{cite web|url= http://articles.economictimes.indiatimes.com/2015-04-02/news/60756683_1_expulsion-order-anti-party-activities-mlas |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20151016212511/http://articles.economictimes.indiatimes.com/2015-04-02/news/60756683_1_expulsion-order-anti-party-activities-mlas |url-status= dead |archive-date= 16 October 2015 |title=Arunachal Pradesh Congress MLA expelled for anti-party activities |work=Economic Times |date= 2 April 2015| accessdate=10 August 2016}}</ref> Pul called Arunachal Pradesh Congress Committee's move foul as he was not even served a show cause notice and said that he was "punished for doing his job".<ref name="Punished"/> In a press conference held the next day, he blamed the state government for various financial irregularities that included unmanaged funds amounting to nearly {{INRConvert|6924|c}} received from the central government, {{INRConvert|864|c}} of the General Provident Fund and {{INRConvert|97|c}} of the New Pension System.<ref name="Finance">{{cite web |url= http://www.arunachalnews.com/pul-alleges-financial-mismanagement-by-govt/ |title= Pul alleges financial mismanagement by Govt |work= Arunachal News |date= 4 April 2015 |accessdate= 10 August 2016 |quote= He also said in the financial year 2014–15, the state government received central grants of Rs 5815.71 crore and another additional fund amount of Rs 1109 crore. "Where has this money gone? People of Arunachal should know that Rs 864 crore GPF and Rs 97 crore New Pension System money has been utilized by the government and they have not been able to return the money. Presently the account of GPF and NPS is nil," Pul added. |place= Itanagar |author= The Arunachal Times |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20160915123321/http://www.arunachalnews.com/pul-alleges-financial-mismanagement-by-govt/ |archive-date= 15 September 2016 |url-status= dead }}</ref>
Kalikho Pul was also the executive member of Arunachal Pradesh Congress Committee for 13 years and Pradesh Election Committee member for 7 years.<ref name="Kalikho Paul1" />
;Chief Minister
In late 2015, Pul broke away from the Congress party. He became the acting<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ndtv.com/india-news/arunachal-chief-minister-kalikho-pul-allocates-portfolios-to-ministers-1286211|title=Arunachal Chief Minister Kalikho Pul Allocates Portfolios To Ministers|publisher=Ndtv.com |newspaper=NDTV |accessdate=15 June 2016}}</ref> Chief Minister of Arunachal Pradesh on 19 February 2016, along with other rebel politicians of Congress.<ref>{{cite web|last1=Singh |first1=Bikash |url=http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/politics-and-nation/arunachal-pradesh-two-deputy-chief-minister-in-kalikho-puls-cabinet/articleshow/51270076.cms|title=Arunachal Pradesh: Two deputy chief minister in Kalikho Pul's cabinet |newspaper=The Economic Times|date=5 March 2016 |publisher=Economictimes.indiatimes.com|accessdate=15 June 2016}}</ref> His government was supported by the opposing Bharatiya Janata Party.<ref name="NDTV13Jul"/> On 3 March 2016 he, along with 30 dissident Congress MLAs, joined the People's Party of Arunachal.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/politics-and-nation/arunachal-pradesh-two-deputy-chief-minister-in-kalikho-puls-cabinet/articleshow/51270076.cms? | title=Arunachal Pradesh: Two deputy chief minister in Kalikho Pul's cabinet | work=Economic Times | date=5 March 2016 | accessdate=9 August 2016 | author=Singh, Bikash}}</ref> While Pul was Chief Minister, his official residence was open to poor villagers to get medical help.<ref name="Suicide"/>
The Supreme Court of India dismissed Pul's government in July 2016. The court ruled out Governor Jyoti Prasad Rajkhowa's decision on the formation of Pul's government. The Congress party accused Rajkhowa of tacitly helping the rebels by calling the assembly session in December, a month ahead of schedule. The government was also formed without a floor test or asking the Chief Minister to prove his majority in the house.<ref name="NDTV13Jul">{{cite web | url=http://www.ndtv.com/india-news/in-arunachal-pradesh-ruling-courts-damning-indictment-of-governor-1431016 | title=In Arunachal Pradesh Ruling, Court's Damning Indictment Of Governor | work=NDTV | date=13 July 2016 | accessdate=9 August 2016}}</ref> Nabam Tuki took over after Pul but he was not accepted by a majority of the Congress MLAs. Pul and the dissident MLAs came back to the Congress fold and supported Pema Khandu as the Chief Minister.<ref name="NDTV9Aug" /><ref name="Violent">{{Cite web |url=http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/other-states/crowd-turns-violent-outside-puls-residence/article8964097.ece |title=Crowd turns violent outside deceased Kalikho Pul's house |date=9 August 2016 |access-date=10 August 2016 |work=The Hindu |last=Dodum |first=Ranju}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web| url=http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/other-states/new-leader-unites-arunachal-congress/article8860327.ece| title=New leader unites Arunachal Congress| date=17 July 2016| work=The Hindu}}</ref>
== Death == Pul died on 9 August 2016 at the age of 47. His body was discovered that morning hanging from the ceiling fan in the room where he practiced yoga.<ref name="Violent"/> Police took the body into custody and sent it for autopsy.<ref name="Protest" /> He allegedly committed suicide by hanging in the Chief Minister's bungalow at Itanagar which he still occupied while his home was under renovation. He is survived by three wives and four children.<ref name="Protest"/>
Reports of finding a diary written by Pul were dismissed by additional district magistrate (ADM) Talo Potom on 11 August. However, four 60-page booklets called ''Mere Vichar'' ("My Thoughts") were found in his room and taken into custody by police.<ref name="Booklets">{{cite web|url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/4-booklets-written-by-Kalikho-Pul-found/articleshow/53651167.cms |title=4 booklets 'written' by Kalikho Pul found |work=The Times of India |date=11 August 2016 |accessdate=11 August 2016}}</ref><ref name="NDTV9Aug"> {{cite web|url=http://www.ndtv.com/india-news/kalikho-pul-ex-arunachal-chief-minister-and-congress-rebel-found-hanging-1441971|title=Kalikho Pul, Removed As Arunachal Chief Minister Weeks Ago, Found Hanging |work=NDTV |date=9 August 2016 |accessdate=9 August 2016}}</ref> Other evidence was sealed by the police to be opened in front of the appointed magistrate.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/depression-financial-crisis-rumours-abound-over-kalikho-pul-s-death/story-BIZTVyOQNCoAaZrUXt88hP.html |title=Depression, financial crisis: Rumors abound over Kalikho Pul's death |author=Parashar, Utpal |work=Hindustan Times |date=10 August 2016 |accessdate=10 August 2016}}</ref> According to ''Indo-Asian News Service'', a senior police official confirmed that a suicide note was found but did not divulge its contents. However, ''Asian News International'' reported the Home Ministry's confirmation that there was no suicide note.<ref name="FP9Aug">{{cite web | url=http://www.firstpost.com/india/ex-arunachal-pradesh-cm-kalikho-pul-found-dead-cops-confirm-suicide-2944008.html | title=Ex-Arunachal Pradesh CM Kalikho Pul found dead; cops confirm suicide | work=First Post | date=9 August 2016 | accessdate=9 August 2016}}</ref>
Pul's supporters assembled outside his residence and protested, demanding an investigation by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) into Pul's death. They also vandalized the nearby residences of ministers.<ref name="Protest">{{cite web | url=http://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/former-arunachal-cm-kalikho-pul-commits-suicide-found-hanging-in-his-house/story-45wD5OH6eYwYXBK9TsXa7N.html | title=Ex-CM Kalikho Pul's suspected suicide sparks protests in Itanagar | work=Hindustan Times | date=9 August 2016 | accessdate=9 August 2016 | first=Utpal| last=Parashar}}</ref> The supporters burned the plywood coffin brought for Pul stating that it was "not worthy of a popular CM like Pul."<ref name="Violent" /> The State government ordered a magisterial inquiry to investigate the death.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://indianexpress.com/article/india/india-news-india/kalikho-pul-death-former-cm-suicide-arunachal-pradesh-government-pema-khundu-inquiry-2963997/ |title=Arunachal Pradesh government announces magisterial inquiry into Pul's death |work=Indian Express |date=9 August 2016 |accessdate=10 August 2016}}</ref> Pul's wife, Dangwimsai Pul appealed to Supreme Court in February 2017 demanding an FIR to be registered and a CBI investigation be done in the case.<ref name="thehindu.com">{{cite news | url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/wife-of-former-arunachal-pradesh-cm-pul-demands-cbi-probe-into-his-death/article17321341.ece | title= Wife of former Arunachal Pradesh CM Kalikho Pul demands CBI probe into his death | date=17 February 2017 | newspaper=The Hindu | accessdate=5 January 2019 }}</ref> The suicide note contains the names of two Supreme Court judges who were part of the bench that dismissed Pul's government.<ref name="thehindu.com"/> The suicide letter <ref>{{Cite web | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170222053311/http://judicialreforms.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/02/pul-s-suicide-note.pdf | archive-date=2017-02-22| title=My thoughts | url=http://judicialreforms.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/02/pul-s-suicide-note.pdf}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170303050603/http://judicialreforms.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/02/english-translation-with-names.pdf | title=My Views | url=http://judicialreforms.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/02/english-translation-with-names.pdf | archive-date=2017-03-03}}</ref> that was made public by {{usurped|1=[https://web.archive.org/web/20071018033429/http://judicialreforms.org/ Campaign for Judicial Accountability and Judicial Reforms]}}, alleges that Pul was approached by the son of Justice Khehar Singh for a bribe of 49 crores to get the decision in his favour. The widow of Pul approached the Vice President of India for an independent probe by a Special Investigation Team as the charges are against Supreme Court judges, including the former Chief Justice of India, Justice Khehar Singh.<ref>{{cite web| url=http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/puls-wife-meets-ansari-seeks-sit-investigation/article17383825.ece| title=Pul's wife meets Ansari, seeks SIT investigation| date=February 28, 2017| website=The Hindu}}</ref>
==References== {{Reflist}}
{{Chief Ministers of Arunachal Pradesh}} {{Authority control}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Pul, Kalikho}} Category:1969 births Category:2016 deaths Category:People from Hawai, Arunachal Pradesh Category:Chief ministers of Arunachal Pradesh Category:Chief ministers from People's Party of Arunachal Category:Arunachal Pradesh MLAs 2014–2019 Category:Indian National Congress politicians from Arunachal Pradesh Category:Suicides by hanging in India Category:People's Party of Arunachal politicians Category:Indian atheists Category:Arunachal Pradesh MLAs 1995–1999 Category:Arunachal Pradesh MLAs 1999–2004 Category:Arunachal Pradesh MLAs 2004–2009 Category:Arunachal Pradesh MLAs 2009–2014