Late PA fondly remembered in assembly

SHILLONG, MAR 4: The state assembly on Friday reverberated with emotions as political leaders cutting across

party lines recalled their association with former Lok Sabha speaker Purno Agitok Sangma, who represented Tura in Lok Sabha, and share their grieves at his sudden demise of

Shocked over the sudden demise of PA Sangma, an emotional chief minister Mukul Sangma said the late leader had an extraordinary political innings and public life and termed him as ‘incomparable leader.’

Sangma said he is ‘perturbed and deeply grieved’ at the loss of a leader of P A Sangma’s caliber.

Recalling the veteran politician contribution to the state and the nation, the chief minister said, “No leader from this part of the country has achieved this extra-ordinary innings in political and public life.” He said no other leader identifies with the people of the state and the rest of the country like the departed leader.

Recalling his first encounter with the late PA Sangma in 1988, opposition leader and United Democratic Party president Donkupar Roy said he realized during his first meeting that Sangma was an exceptional leader the state ever produced..

Roy spelled out contribution made by late Sangma as union cabinet minister, Lok Sabha  Speaker and as  the state’s chief minister besides as a member of the legislative assembly.

Lyngdoh said, “Perhaps his rise in politics is because of his efficiency as a politician and leader. People in the rest of the country know us because of him,” citing an example of his encounter with an MLA from Madhya Pradesh who did not know Meghalaya but knew Purno very well.

Meghalaya government’s chief adviser and Meghalaya Pradesh Congress Committee (MPCC) president DD Lapang said P A Sangma had a ‘global mindset’. He said, “He was not narrow and selfish. He was also fast thinker and decisive too. PA has demonstrated his ability, dreams and determination to be great, rightly equipped with a vision, mission and determination.”

Hills State Peoples Democratic Party (HSPDP)  president Ardent Basaiawmoit recalled how ‘humorous’ P A Sangma could get and said, “He was ready to share his experiences (as a seasoned politician). The state today lost one of the tallest leaders it has ever produced.”

State urban affairs minister Ampareen Lyngdoh recalled her association with late PA Sangma because of the late leader friendship with her late father PG Marbaniang, who was also a tall political leader, and said, “He was witty, intelligent and is a committed leader.”

Lyngdoh said, , “He was a man who dared to live his dreams and whose agendas were real and focused.”-By Our Reporter