SHILLONG: The body of Clement Marak was brought to his Motinagar residence on Tuesday morning.
Relatives, friends and Marak’s colleagues in the political fraternity paid tributes to the 58-year-old leader who died of cardiac arrest on Monday after a prolonged battle with cancer.
A host of Congress leaders, including CLP leader Mukul Sangma, Zenith Sangma, Charles Pyngrope, HM Shangpliang, Celestine Lyngdoh, George Lyngdoh and Deborah Marak shared their memories of working with Marak.
As the man who, despite his illness remained active in politics and contested the last election, lay still in the coffin, members of the bereaved family said the body was brought to Shillong before the last rites in Tura because “he loved the house”. “Before leaving for New Delhi, he had cleaned every room,” they shared.
Shangpliang said Congress leaders, including Mukul, will visit Tura on Wednesday to attend the last rites.
Earlier in the morning, Marak’s body was flown from New Delhi to Guwahati. He died in a private hospital in the Capital.
AICC president Rahul Gandhi on Tuesday condoled the death of Selsella MLA Clement Mark.
In a letter to Marak’s widow June Eleana R Marak, Rahul sent his “heartfelt condolences” to the bereaved family. “My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family at this difficult time,” he wrote.
Former chief minister and veteran politician DD Lapang described Marak’s “sudden demise” as a great loss to the state. He described him as a “very popular leader”.
In a statement issued on Tuesday, Meghalaya Pradesh Congress Committee said, “The members felt that the premature death… is a great loss to the party, the state and the people of his constituency. The void caused due to his sudden demise would be difficult to fill.”
The MPCC observed two minutes’ silence at the condolence meeting on Tuesday.
GHADC chief executive member Dipul R Marak also condoled the death of Marak, who was also an MDC in the autonomous council.
“I am deeply saddened by the untimely demise… He was a great leader, loving father and fine gentleman. In his death, we have lost an outstanding personality and a prominent political leader,” the CEM said in his condolence message. (With inputs from Tura)
