Guwahati: Weeks after he was ordered by the Supreme Court to step down as Chief Minister of Arunachal Pradesh, Kalikho Pul allegedly committed suicide this morning. He was 47.
He was found hanging in the Chief Minister's official residence in Itanagar, which he had yet to vacate because his home was being renovated.
Last month, the Supreme Court for the first time removed a government in power and ordered that Arunachal Pradesh be restored to the charge of the Congress.
Mr Pul was with the Congress till late 2015 when he rebelled along with a large section of legislators from the party; in February, he became Chief Minister with the backing of the BJP.
That appointment was illegal, the Supreme Court found, ruling that the north eastern state had been unjustifiably placed under direct rule by the centre.
The Congress was vindicated in its accusation that the centre had misused its power to remove an opposition-led government.
However, to win back its rebels, the Congress agreed that it would not reinstall Nabam Tuki as Chief Minister. Instead, it selected Pema Khandu, who was agreeable to the Congress dissidents.
At Mr Khandu's oath-taking ceremony, Mr Pul, who was seated in front row, said "I always follow my heart and did what I thought was right. Now the court order has come and I am following the court order."
He was found hanging in the Chief Minister's official residence in Itanagar, which he had yet to vacate because his home was being renovated.
Last month, the Supreme Court for the first time removed a government in power and ordered that Arunachal Pradesh be restored to the charge of the Congress.
Mr Pul was with the Congress till late 2015 when he rebelled along with a large section of legislators from the party; in February, he became Chief Minister with the backing of the BJP.
That appointment was illegal, the Supreme Court found, ruling that the north eastern state had been unjustifiably placed under direct rule by the centre.
The Congress was vindicated in its accusation that the centre had misused its power to remove an opposition-led government.
However, to win back its rebels, the Congress agreed that it would not reinstall Nabam Tuki as Chief Minister. Instead, it selected Pema Khandu, who was agreeable to the Congress dissidents.
At Mr Khandu's oath-taking ceremony, Mr Pul, who was seated in front row, said "I always follow my heart and did what I thought was right. Now the court order has come and I am following the court order."