Kalikho Pul (1969-2016): A born leader who changed his 'watchman' destiny to become Arunachal Pradesh CM

Itanagar: Ex-Arunachal Governor JP Rajkhowa had described Kalikho Pul as the undisputed leader when the latter was sworn-in as the eighth chief minister of Arunachal Pradesh on February 19.

Pul had established himself as a popular democratically elected leader of the state.

At the age of 13 months, he lost his mother, at six years his father. Pul went on to learn carpentry and sell furniture.

Also, he served as a casual night watchman at merely Rs 212/month.

Moreover, he used to sell paan and beedi to attend a night school.

Kalikho was from  Hawai, Anjaw district and belonged to Kaman Mishmi ethnic group of the state.

Pul had served as minister for 22 of his 23 years as MLA.

He described himself as a good contractor who never compromised on quality.

In 1995, the Congress gave him assembly poll ticket. He won and became minister too.

He became Arunachal Pradesh's CM after the central government recommended that President`s Rule be lifted from the state.

"Under Pul's astute leadership together with his long experience and political acumen as an able legislator spread over long 25 years at a stretch, most pristine and picturesque Arunachal Pradesh would march forward along the road to peace, prosperity and all round sustainable development," Rajkhowa had said about Kalikho.

Dissident Congress leader Kalikho Pul was on  Feb 19 sworn in as chief minister of Arunachal Pradesh after more than two months of political crisis, shortly after the Supreme Court paved the way for government-formation and President’s rule was lifted from the state.

Pul had led a revolt against the leadership of former chief minister Nabam Tuki.

A revolt by Congress dissidents led by Pul triggered political crisis in the state that finally led to imposition of President’s rule on 26 January. 

During his CM tenure, Pul had said the priority of his government would be to improve the law and order situation and to streamline education, health and power sectors besides improvement in delivery system of essential services to the people without any discrimination.

Pul was found hanging at his official residence in Itanagar on Tuesday morning. He was just 47.