SHILLONG/TURA/NEW DELHI: Former Cabinet Minister and sitting Selsella MLA Clement Marak passed away in a private hospital in New Delhi on Monday evening due to cardiac arrest after a prolonged battle with cancer. He was 58.
Marak’s body will be flown to Shillong from New Delhi on Tuesday and will be kept at his city residence in Motinagar and the next day, the mortal remains will be taken to Tura for last rites.
The funeral is slated for Thursday though the modalities are being worked out as to where he will be laid to rest.
Though Marak’s home is in Tura Hawakhana locality, he represented Selsella constituency in the plains belt of West Garo Hills.
Marak had been battling prostate cancer for several years and was admitted to Max Super-specialty Hospital at Shalimarbagh in New Delhi for the last two weeks.
Later, the problem aggravated as he was diagnosed with lung infection. Marak frequently visited America in the last few years for treatment.
His condition deteriorated a week ago and he was put on life support but he never regained consciousness. He died around 7.30 pm.
Officials from Meghalaya House were present in the hospital since his condition was deteriorating.
Congress spokesperson Zenith Sangma confirmed the death of the sitting MLA.
Marak was also the power minister in the previous Congress-led MUA government in the state.
Despite his ailing health, Marak plunged into the electoral fray in this year’s Assembly elections and was able to retain his Selsella constituency defeating NPP’s Ferlin CA Sangma.
Marak entered politics by winning a council election from the GHADC. He joined the Congress and was rewarded the party ticket in 2004 for the by-election that was necessitated in Selsella, Songsak and Mawprem assembly seats after the sitting legislators died in a helicopter crash at Kyrdemkulai in September 2004.
He won the Selsella by-election defeating P A Sangma’s younger son and current chief minister, Conrad K Sangma.
He subsequently lost the 2008 assembly elections from Selsella constituency to Conrad Sangma. In 2013, he defeated sitting NPP MLA Conrad and went on to become the state’s power minister. He retained his seat in the 2018 Assembly elections while many senior Congress ministers and legislators fell by the wayside to an NPP wave in the state.
During his tenure as a legislator, Marak served the government as parliamentary secretary and later as minister for several departments, primarily power, excise, forest, food and civil supplies, weaving and sericulture departments. Senior leaders of both the Congress and rival parties condoled Marak’s death.
Leader of the Opposition Mukul Sangma, while conveying his condolence to members of the bereaved family, said, “We have lost him and I have lost a personal and dependable friend and trustworthy comrade. It is a great lost to the party, the constituency he represented, and the people of the state.”
Mukul said despite his failing health, Marak continued to serve the people and remained responsive to call of duty. “It was because of people’s love and affection that he got a convincing victory in the last election though he could not campaign much. His services would be remembered and he has been able to render to all sections of people, including the vulnerable groups, especially when he represented the constituency which is one of the difficult and challenging areas,” he added.
BJP leader and I&PR Minister AL Hek expressed shock over the death and sent condolence message to the bereaved family.
In a statement to the media, Chief Minister Conrad Sangma said he was “deeply shocked” by the news.
Remembering his interactions with Marak at official and personal levels, Conrad said, “We had fought elections against each other but we never had any personal difference. He was like my elder brother. His death is an irreparable loss. He was the son of the soil and had always worked for the poor.”
“My wife Mehtab Agitok Sangma and children join me in conveying our deepest condolences to June Eliana R. Marak and all other members of the bereaved family and pray to Almighty God that the departed soul rests in eternal peace,” he added.
Speaker Donkupar Roy expressed sorrow and on behalf of the members of the Meghalaya Legislative Assembly, conveyed condolences to Marak’s family.
Former Meghalaya Assembly Speaker and current Nongthymai MLA Charles Pyngrope recalled his close association with Marak and the time spent in the state legislature.
“He was a thorough gentleman who never lost his cool even during the heat of debate in the Assembly. He exuded confidence and calmness even in moments of pressure during Assembly sessions. He will be dearly missed not only as a politician and father figure of his family but also as a close friend,” said Pyngrope.
Former MLA Deborah Marak said the leader’s death “has left a huge void in the state and the Congress”.
“He worked tirelessly and was an efficient administrator. It is a loss for Meghalaya and the entire Garo community,” she added.