Shillong, Feb 2: As Meghalaya has turned 50 this year, the state recalls the contributions made by Statehood Movement leaders.
Coincidently, this year marks the 100th birth anniversary of one of state’s towring leaders — Brington Buhai Lyngdoh or B. B. Lyngdoh
BB Lyngdoh was born on 2 February 1922 and, is one of India’s most well-known statesmen.
A prominent figure of the Statehood movement, Lyngdoh is often referred to as the “Father of coalition politics” in Meghalaya
Lyngdoh was born at Laitlyngkot and was one of the longest-serving chief ministers of Meghalaya.
The four-time chief minister passed away on 27 October 2003.
He would pass off as the tallest Khasi politician having occupied the centre stage of state politics for over three decades. Possessed with an imposing personality, Lyngdoh was a man of strong courage of conviction.
During Meghalaya’s demoralising politics of instability prior to enactment of anti-defection law, he championed the art of cobbling coalitions. He is first CM in the country to share power with his political rival Capt. WA Sangma on fifty-fifty basis.
Lyngdoh will also be remembered for his administrative ability and handling law and order situations with an iron hand.
Lyngdoh was a persistent votary for a directly elected Prime Minister—an idea that many in the ruling BJP see as a virtue today. He was truly a visionary and a statesman. He dreamt of making Meghalaya “mini Japan” through laissez faire. Truly, he was ahead of his time.
