The last few days have been tough for the Pema Khandu government in Arunachal Pradesh following the demise of senior Congress leader Kalikho Pul on Tuesday. Most believe Pul, who was found dead in his room in the chief minister’s bungalow in Itanagar, was done in by the fickle political scene of the state which has seen four chief ministers (Jarbom Gamlin, Nabam Tuki, Pul and Pema Khandu) since Dorjee Khandu’s death in a 2011 chopper crash. Gamlin and Pul are dead. The recovery of Pul’s personal notes — Mere Vichar (My thoughts) — has also not helped matters. Reports doing the rounds suggest Pul may have bared his soul in the notes, triggering demands of making them public so that people know what prompted a “strong and seasoned” politician to end his life. The flash protest outside the bungalow was a reflection of the anguish against the tragic incident and the frequent power struggle in the state. The Khandu government did well to control the protest from spreading but the real test has just begun. Chief minister Khandu, 37, spoke to Umanand Jaiswal and Pranab Kumar Das at his Itanagar residence.
Excerpts:
The Telegraph: Will you order a CBI inquiry into Pul’s death as demanded by the All Arunachal Pradesh Students’ Union, the BJP, the Rajiv Gandhi University Students’ Union and his well-wishers?
Pema Khandu: A magisterial inquiry has been ordered. Once the family is through with the rituals (five days of puja from the day of cremation), I will sit with them to know what they want. If they have confidence in the magisterial inquiry, I don’t think there will be a need for another inquiry. If they demand a CBI or any other inquiry, our government will favourably consider it. We will do what they want. I have an open mind on the demand for an independent inquiry.
TT: Will you also make public the documents/notes seized and sealed by the magistrate as demanded by various quarters? What has been seized from his room?
PK: I am told 50-60 pages of his notes in Hindi in A4 printed sheets have been seized by the magistrate along with four cell phones from the room. The notes are titled Mere Vichar and all pages are signed by him. I don’t know the contents nor have I tried to find out as it may give an impression that I am interfering. I have made it very clear that there should be a proper inquiry to avoid charges of tampering with evidence or manipulation. On the demand for making the papers public, it is not in my hand because the matter is under investigation. I can’t interfere. It will, anyway, become public once the inquiry is over.
TT: Do you know the content of the notes?
PK: I don’t know, nor am I trying to find out.
TT: What does the post-mortem report say?
PK: I don’t know. His viscera has been sent for forensic examination. We will know how he died once all the reports come in. I told the chief secretary and the director-general of police that all angles should be probed.
TT: It is said Pul slipped into depression following the Supreme Court verdict restoring the Nabam Tuki government, his MLA friends “ditching” him and the Congress allegedly sidelining him. When did you last talk to him?
PK: I don’t know. I had spoken to him on August 4 or 5 and discussed some development work in his constituency. We also attended several meetings together.
He appeared normal. The news of his demise was very shocking for all of us. I rushed to the bungalow on getting the news and called the chief secretary and DGP.
TT: Why didn’t you or your ministerial colleagues attend Pul’s last rites in Hawai?
PK: Apart from being the chief minister, I also hold the home portfolio. There were law and order issues soon after the news of his death spread. The houses of the deputy chief minister and a cabinet minister were vandalised.
Rumour-mongers also got active. We did not want another law and order issue by going there. Anything can happen when people get emotional. I stayed back to ensure everything passed off peacefully.
