HILLONG: The ‘death wish’ statement of Chief Minister Dr Mukul Sangma against former Lok Sabha Speaker and Tura NPP candidate Purno Sangma has shocked former Deputy Chief Minister Bindo Lanong.
“The statement made by Dr Sangma is unpalatable as it comes from a person who occupies the chair of the Chief Minister of the State. However virulent the rival is, we don’t wish him bad,” Lanong said on Friday.
Lanong cited a similar incident from the past.
He recalled that when the UDP was formed with the merger of Hill Peoples Party (HPU) and HSPDP led by EK Mawlong in 1997, a meeting was held to elect the leader of the new party. From HPU, the name of BB Lyngdoh was proposed, while HSPDP wanted EK Mawlong to be the leader.
“One Mr Syiem, who was with HSPDP, said that the party preferred Mawlong as he was still young and energetic. Syiem even wondered how long would BB Lyngdoh live,” Lanong recalled.
According to Lanong, the next day HSPDP leaders apologized to BB Lyngdoh who did not react.
“Shortly after, Syiem passed away whereas BB Lyngdoh outlived him,” Lanong said.
Lyngdoh died on October 27, 2003.
While wishing Purno a long life, Lanong said that the statement of the Chief Minister would be a kind of a blessing to Purno as he might gain more support from this.