SHILLONG: The late political stalwart of the State P.A. Sangma became a sort of an identity for Meghalaya and the North East for the politicians as well as lesser known persons who visit different parts of the country and abroad from the state and the region.
The legislators in the State have revealed that whenever they used to go outside the North East or visit abroad, there was an identity crisis whenever they said that they were from Meghalaya, but the mention of the name of Purno Agitok Sangma was enough to identify the State and the North East or even the country.
Prior to the passing of the Resolution to condole his death on Friday in Assembly, Chief Minister Mukul Sangma admitted that P.A. Sangma was a leader “who identified us to the country and the rest of the world”.
Opposition leader Donkupar Roy said that it was because of PA Sangma that “we are known outside”.
Roy recalled an instance when he had visited Madhya Pradesh.
“One MLA asked me about the state to which I belong, and when I responded, he asked me whether I knew P.A. Sangma,” Roy said.
Home Minister Roshan Warjri recalled that when she had visited Hong Kong as part of an official level meeting, it was the reference of Purno as the Speaker of Lok Sabha which acted as an identity.
UDP member Paul Lyngdoh said the life of Purno Sangma reminds one of William Shakespeare’s Julius Caesar as Sangma was like a colossus in the national politics.
Lyngdoh recalled his association with Sangma when he met him in Delhi as part of a NESO delegation.
“Subsequently, I had numerous interactions with the son of the soil who was also like a guide, master, and father figure,” Lyngdoh said.
Reciting the poem of H.W. Longfellow, Lyngdoh said Purno has ‘left his everlasting footprints in the sands of time’.
HSPDP member Ardent Basaiawmoit said Purno was the pride of the tribal people of Meghalaya. Though he knew Purno from the college days, he came close to him during the tenure of MPA government.
“He was a very humorous person and was never selfish in his dealings,” Basaiawmoit said.
Deputy Chief Minister Rowell Lyngdoh, who is the contemporary of late Purno, recalled his association with him and said that even before joining politics, he was vibrant as a young advocate and youth leader.
“During the Emergency period in 1975, when the then Chief Minister Capt. W.A. Sangma put many leaders including Purno in jail, this did not deter his fighting spirit,” Rowell said.
Rowell also recalled that Purno used to take him along during his visits to West Khasi Hills.
Deputy Chief Minister R.C. Laloo said if Purno Sangma was not there, he would not have been in state politics.
He also recalled that Purno had sanctioned Rs 7 crore and instructed him to start 1, 000 primary schools within a year.
Sports and Youth Affairs Minister Zenith Sangma said it was Purno who inspired him to join politics and to be active in this field with confidence.
Transport Minister H.D.R. Lyngdoh recalled his association working as a junior minister under Purno.
Health Minister A.L. Hek said during the tenure of MPA government, he had acted as guide and philosopher.
Taking part in the discussion, Speaker A.T. Mondal remembered the days when he was associated with the late leader and pointed out that Purno helped in empowering the people of Phulbari in terms of providing infrastructure development in the area affected by frequent flood.
While Urban and Municipal Affairs Minister Ampareen Lyngdoh termed Purno as the ambassador of the North East and a person who left behind a legacy which needs to be emulated, Metbah Lyngdoh (UDP) said that Purno was ever ready to help people at any time.
Congress member R.V. Lyngdoh said the late leader showed to the world that the sky is the limit in terms of achievements.
UDP legislator Jemino Mawthoh pointed out that Purno was concerned about the interest of the tribals.
Later, the members observed a two-minute silence to pray to the departed soul.
When the sad news came to MLAs
An otherwise jovial tea time, after the Meghalaya Governor V. Shanmuganathan addressed the House on the first day of the Budget session on Friday, turned into a gloomy atmosphere when the news regarding the sudden demise of P.A. Sangma reached the Assembly at around 11.15 AM.
Former Chief Minister D.D. Lapang said in the Assembly that the cheerfulness which the legislators had, suddenly gave room to sadness after the news regarding the death of Sangma trickled in.
Assembly Speaker A.T. Mondal said it was shocking for him to learn the P.A. Sangma was no more at a time when he was accompanying the Governor after his speech.
“I initially thought that it was a rumour, but after crosschecking with the police I released that it was true to my utter shock,” he said.
Chief Minister Mukul Sangma had also said that he had to cross check and confirm the news since it had come all of a sudden.
First proposal from Salseng
Former Chief Minister and Congress leader Salseng C Marak said in the Assembly on Friday that it was he who had proposed the name of P.A. Sangma to get elected to Parliament from the Congress party in 1977.
According to Marak, after Purno left the Congress, he was tempted to join NCP, but did not do so and in fact he wanted Purno to re-join the Congress, but in vain.
A true nationalist, son of the soil
Opposition leader Donkupar Roy said that Purno Sangma left the Congress and triggered a debate whether a person of foreign origin can become the Prime Minister of the country.
“He was a true nationalist as he believed that only an Indian born should be the Prime Minister of the country and in this context he sent a clear and loud message that only the son of the soil should the head of the country,” Roy said.
Prez post contested to convey a message
The legislators in the Assembly recalled that Purno Sangma had contested the post of President to send a message that a tribal man can make efforts to reach the highest post in the country.
When former Chief Minister and the Congress leader S.C. Marak asked Purno why he should contest the post of the President, the reply was that “We have to show our spirit as tribal”.
