SHILLONG: Chief Minister Conrad Sangma, Leader of Opposition Mukul Sangma and other leaders paid their respect to a host of departed leaders and politicians of the country – BJP leader and former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee, former Meghalaya Governor MM Jacob, former Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M Karunanidhi and former Lok Sabha Speaker Somnath Chatterjee – on the first day of the autumn session of Meghalaya House.
Speaking about Vajpayee during the Autumn session on Friday, Conrad said, “He had a long association with my father (Late Purno A Sangma). They shared a chemistry and shared a concern and care for our people and our nation. For me there is an emotional connection.”
He recalled that the late Prime Minister showed interests in uplift of the people in the North Eastern region especially the rural people.
Talking about to former state Governor MM Jacob, he said that Jacob was very much connected to the people of the state and his contributions would be unforgettable.
On veteran Communist party leader and former Lok Sabha Speaker Somnath Chatterjee, Conrad said it was not easy to manage the House sessions and said, “I fondly remember how he efficiently managed the House.”
Speaking about late Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M Karunanidhi, The Chef Minister Conrad Sangma called him the tallest leader of Tamil Nadu and entire South India.
Meanwhile, Leader of the Opposition, Mukul Sangma lauded Vajpayee for his debating skills and his ability to run a coalition government for a full period of five years.
According to Mukul, Vajpayee was able to communicate to different political parties keeping them glued together. “He was acceptable to all political parties,” he said.