Former Arunachal CM Kalikho Pul found dead

Itanagar (Arunachal Pradesh), Aug. 9 (ANI): Former Arunachal Pradesh chief minister Kalikho Pul was found dead at the Chief Minister's official residence, which he had not vacated yet, here on Tuesday morning. Expressing his solidarity, former Arunachal Pradesh chief minister Nabam Tuki in a statement said, "It is sad and really unfortunate that a young leader Kalikho Pul is no more with us. May God give strength to his family. It is a loss for the entire state of Arunachal Pradesh. The entire Congress family is with his family in this moment of grief." In a setback to Pul, the Supreme Court had earlier on July 13 restored the Congress government in Arunachal Pradesh, declaring the actions of Governor J.P. Rajkhowa "illegal" and "violative of the constitutional provisions". Congress rebel Kalikho Pul had formed a government with the help of 21 Congress rebels and Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MLAs, ousting the Nabam Tuki-led government in the state. Arunachal Pradesh was placed under President's Rule on January 26. Pul had earlier on July 14 claimed the support of majority MLAs of the state. Parading 36 MLAs in front of the media, Pul had asserted that he had the support of 43 members of the Arunachal Assembly, which has a total strength of 60. Pul was the chief minister for around four months after the state was placed under President's Rule following a series of dramatic developments, which witnessed the Congress government being voted out by party rebels along with the opposition Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). (ANI)