TURA: They were once at loggerheads, but after several years they found a common cause to ensure the uplift of the Garo society.
While the two veterans PA Sangma and late Clifford Marak came together during the last two years, the feeling was not the same during the long history of the two political leaders.
When the former Lok Sabha Speaker was with the Congress party, the GNC leader was a vociferous political opponent and even contested against him unsuccessfully during previous Lok Sabha elections.
Later, the two leaders smoked the peace pipe and went all out in their political campaign against Congress and its Chief Minister Mukul Sangma questioning his governance and the law and order situation prevailing in Garo Hills particularly Chokpot region which has remained a haven for militant activities, particularly by the banned GNLA outfit.
Honouring the veteran politician, who was once at loggerheads with him over political issues, PA Sangma termed late Marak as the ‘spearhead’ for the movement of Garoland.
Despite their political differences for many years, the lone GNC MLA joined hands with the opposition Meghalaya Peoples’ Front which included Purno Sangma’s NPP party in the state.
He campaigned vigorously for PA Sangma during the last Lok Sabha elections and helped him to garner the maximum number of votes from Chokpot constituency against the Congress candidate Daryl William Ch Momin.
Purno in return extended his support for the Garoland demand raising the pitch during the campaign trail and later in New Delhi after the victory of the NDA government.
