By Our Reporter
SHILLONG, Aug 23: The Autumn Session of the Meghalaya Legislative Assembly commenced on Friday with the House paying respects to former chief minister Salseng Marak, MLA Raisen Mawsor, and other members of the state’s political fraternity who passed away recently.
Initiating the discussion on day one of the Autumn Session, Deputy Chief Minister Prestone Tynsong informed the House that India has lost as many as 19 political leaders recently.
Referring to Salseng Marak, Tynsong termed him as a great political leader who was in public life for several years, and that he was known for practising clean politics.
“His demise is a great loss not only for the state but for the entire country,” Tynsong said, hoping that the former chief minister would continue to inspire the members of the House and the people of the state.
Tynsong also recalled meeting Marak on August 15 when the latter was very unwell.
On the other hand, Songsak MLA Mukul Sangma, while referring to Marak’s tenure as the chief minister, said he had provided stability in Meghalaya for five years.
Recalling that Marak never needed any appointment whenever he wanted to seek an audience as a student, Mukul said the former chief minister had clarity in taking decisions and that his decisions were worth remembering.
Meanwhile, Speaker Thomas Sangma said he admires Marak as well as PA Sangma.
He said their similarities were nearly identical as they were soft-spoken and always smiling.
Similarly, Opposition leader Ronnie V Lyngdoh said Marak was a great leader the state had produced.
“He was accommodative to anyone,” Lyngdoh said, while recalling that Marak was known for his patience hearing since the time when he was in youth Congress.
Lyngdoh also remembered former MLA and MDC Raisin Mawsor, who passed in May this year.
He said the legacy of Mawsor, who served the community well, will be remembered.
Nongthymmai legislator Charles Pyngrope recalled how Marak guided him.
Informing that the former chief minister touched many lives, Pyngrope called him a man with unique potential and human in every sense.
The House also observed silence to pay their tributes to the departed leaders.
