TURA/ SHILLONG: With the news of the sudden demise of veteran politician Purno A Sangma, political parties in the State have expressed grief and shock at the news saying that Meghalaya has lost a stalwart leader.
The Garo National Council (GNC) party of (L) Clifford Marak while condoling the death of P.A. Sangma said his long years of dedicated service for the people had earned him the title ‘Father of the Garos’.
President of the GNC and widow of Clifford Marak, Kalpana D Sangma, said the sudden demise of the tallest leader from Garo Hills was shocking for the entire nation.
“His demise is not only a loss to family and relatives but is irreparable for the Garo people. His charisma and dynamism can never be refilled. The popularity of the Garo community throughout the whole world is because of (L) P.A. Sangma whose name is known far and wide,” said the GNC president.
The United Democratic Party (UDP) in an emergency meeting expressed shock and grief on the sudden demise of P.A. Sangma on Friday.
UDP general secretary Jemino Mawthoh said the passing away of this great and towering personality has created a deep sense of loss to the people of the State and the country as a whole. He said that P.A. Sangma will be remembered as one of the tallest leader the State has ever produced.
“A multi-faceted personality who has been a teacher, lawyer and journalist before joining politics, (L) P.A. Sangma’s political life has been phenomenal. From being chief minister of the State to Union minister and later as Lok Sabha speaker, he has made the people and the State proud by his political skills and in articulating the dreams and aspirations of the people,” he said.
The BJP held a condolence meet and expressed grief on the sudden demise of the tallest political leader to have emerged from Garo Hills.
The meeting recollected Sangma’s contributions for the welfare the State.
Meanwhile, the Hill State People’s Democratic Party (HSPDP) also condoled the death of P.A. Sangma.
HSPDP president Ardent Basaiawmoit said the party is filled with great sorrow and grief to learn about the sudden demise of Purno A Sangma.
He said P.A. Sangma was known to be a great mass leader of the tribal people of Meghalaya and the region. He has been a pride for the tribal people especially the Garos.
According to Basaiawmoit, “He has been one of the most successful political leaders not only in the State but in the country as well. He was known for his humility, hard work, unselfish attitude and his humor.”
“He has been a source of inspiration to many and his presence had ensured a sense of security in the minds of the tribal people. His passing away has created a vacuum and is a great loss not only to his family members or near and dear ones but to the State and the country as a whole,” he said.
The Nationalist Congress Party (NCP), which Purno had co-founded, also expressed deep shock and sorrow over the premature and untimely death of (L) P.A. Sangma.
NCP president Sanbor Shullai said (L) Sangma was the founder member of the party and his contribution to the party was immense. “He served under different capacity and was a man of the masses. He was a great parliamentarian and was respected by all the political parties irrespective of their affiliation.
“With immense grief, we recall the contribution of his social and political career to the state of Meghalaya in general and to the people of Garo Hills in particular and the nation as a whole. With his demise, we have lost a renowned national leader and an illustrious scholar who was full of ideas and vision,” Shullai said.
Meghalaya Pradesh Congress Committee chief D.D. Lapang also expressed profound shock and grief at the untimely demise of P.A. Sangma.
Lapang recalled his very long association with Sangma, within the Congress till 1999 and afterwards in the State Assembly and other walks of life. Lapang recalled that he had functioned as the deputy chief minister when Purno was the Chief Minister, and had shared eventful moments together.
Lapang described Sangma as a multifaceted personality who was a great orator and was endowed with unique administrative skills.
Lapang said the big void created following the passing away of Sangma would be difficult to fill.
The Meghalaya State Council of the Communist Party of India (CPI) also condoled the death of P.A. Sangma.
In a statement released to the press, the party said that he was a leader with a vision and rose to an eminent position in the national political scene due to his starling qualities and capabilities.
His death has created a void in the present day political scenario in Meghalaya which will be hard to fill.
