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Former Arunachal CM Kalikho Pul's mysterious death raises questions

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Devina Gupta
Devina GuptaAug 09, 2016 | 16:07

Former Arunachal CM Kalikho Pul's mysterious death raises questions

It was 10.30am on Tuesday when news broke about how former Arunchal Pradesh chief minister Kalikho Pul has been found dead in his house.

As our editorial team was waiting for final confirmation on Pul’s death, the studio director was given a brief on the urgency of the news.

Still scrambling for more details, on a sombre note we announced that the central figure of the recent Arunachal Pradesh political turmoil is no more. 

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While I was recounting to viewers his political stint as the interim CM, Arunchal Pradesh BJP in-charge Sudhanshu Mittal joining us over a telecon. A tense situation, since Kalikho Pul had led rebelled against the Congress faction and joined hands with the BJP to stake claim to the seat of power. "It was a people's government and a leader with a sensitive heart”, said Mittal.

What he said next took us by surprise. "I spoke to him last evening, Pul was supposed come to Delhi today. He was planning to file a review petition in SC today. That's when the news came of being no more. He was so stressed because of not being able to get justice that he took an extreme step.”

“I tried to boost up his morale that you are coming and lets discuss and probably something can come out of review petition. I can't imagine something like this would be done," added Mittal. 

The revelation that Kalikho Pul had planned to travel to Delhi to file a review petition led to doubts over the claim that the leader had allegedly attempted suicide. According to Mittal, Pul was "a courageous man who maintained his cool in all the circumstances".

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The BJP leader said, "When I spoke to him, he was bitterly complaining he was wrong. I don't think so it is a foul play but its stress of humiliation by Congress and misinterpretation of SC verdict it took toll. The man I knew I can't imagine he would give up.” 

Protests have since been reported from outside Kalikho Pul’s residence with his supporters demanding a CBI enquiry in the case. Also, the absence of a suicide note at Pul’s residence has deepened the mystery.

Meanwhile, on the morning show, the Congress in-charge of Arunachal Pradesh CP Joshi claimed Pul was a "Congressman" till the end: “He was a committed Congressman. Although he took certain decisions, after the SC verdict, he joined the Congress party.”

Hopefully, the politics will give way to the truth about the tragic end of a political leader who fought the odds till the end.

Last updated: August 09, 2016 | 16:20
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