PA Sangma, 68, the first lok Sabha Speaker from the North-East, passed away following a massive heart attack Friday moring. A Minister in the Cabinets of Rajiv Gandhi and Narasimha Rao, Sangma shifted political allegiance several times in the last two decades.
The political veteran with an affable visage was elected nine times to the lok Sabha from Tura in Meghalaya.
One of the few political leaders from the North-East who made their definitive mark in national politics, Sangma was always ready to break into a laugh at any given time and had earned friends across party lines.
The news of his untimely demise was broken by lok Sabha Speaker Sumitra Mahajan, who made an obituary reference to him and adjourned the House for the day as a mark of respect. later, setting aside protocol, the Rajya Sabha also adjourned after lunch for members to pay homage to Sangma, whose body will be taken to his home in Meghalaya.
While expressing deep grief over Sangma’s demise, Mahajan said he knew how to run the House with a smile and “I learnt this from him.” “A man of the masses, Sangma strove relentlessly for the amelioration of the marginalised sections,” the Speaker said.
Sangma leaves behind his wife Sorodini, two sons, Conrad, a former Finance Minister in Meghalaya, James, a sitting MlA and daughter Agatha, who was the youngest Minister in Manmohan Singh’s Ministry when she was inducted in 2009. In the 11th lok Sabha, shortage of numbers forced the BJP to accept Congress candidate Sangma as Speaker after Atal Bihari Vajpayee was sworn-in as Prime Minister at the head of a short-lived 13-day Government.
After a long stint in the Congress when he became a Minister of State in the Rajiv Gandhi Government in 1984, he later rose to become the labour Minister in the Narasimha Rao Cabinet.
Sangma was among those who rose in revolt against Sonia Gandhi’s foreign origins in 1999 along with Sharad Pawar and Tariq Anwar to form the Nationalist Congress Party, which he left to join the Trinamool Congress.
later, he split with the TMC and formed his own National People’s Party on whose ticket he was elected to the current 16th lok Sabha.
In 2012, Sangma exited from the NCP to become the official candidate of the BJP against Pranab Mukherjee in the Presidential elections. He was also the Chief Minister of Meghalaya from 1988 to 1990 and leader of Opposition in the Assembly from 1990 to 1991.
Condoling the death of Sangma, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said he was “a self-made leader whose contribution towards the development of the North East is monumental. Saddened by his demise”.
Congress president Sonia Gandhi, Rahul Gandhi and other party leaders also condoled the death of Sangma whom they hailed as a dedicated Parliamentarian and veteran leader.
“The nation has lost a tall leader and the North-East has lost an important voice,” the Congress president Sonia Gandhi said in a message.
Sonia recalled the contribution of Sangma as a public representative, Union Minister, Chief Minister and Speaker of the lok Sabha.
“Deepest condolences on the passing away of veteran leader & former lS Speaker Shri PA Sangma. His demise is a great loss to the nation,” Rahul said on Twitter.
leader of the Opposition in the Rajya Sabha Ghulam Nabi Azad said it is “very saddening” to hear about the sudden demise of Sangma.
Congress general secretary Digvijay Singh expressed grief over the death of Sangma whom he hailed as a “most affable and likeable person.”
Pawar also took to the micro-blogging site to express grief over the death.
“PA Sangma vibrant, dedicated parliamentarian & effective Speaker. My close companion! Heartfelt tribute to him. Champion of North-East issues,” Pawar said.