SHILLONG: The State legislators paid tribute to as many 7 political leaders of the country including former Meghalaya Assembly Speaker Monindro Rabha and BJP leader and Union Minister of Rural Development Gopinath Munde who had passed away in the past few months.
Participating in the customary obituary references on the first day of the re-assembled budget session on Friday, Chief Minister Dr Mukul Sangma stated that the contribution of the late leaders to their respective states and the nation as public leaders would remain forever.
While recalling Rabha, he said that the former Assembly Speaker has unique quality as he was popular among the people since he was very approacable.
While terming late Rabha as one of the political stalwarts of the State, he said that as a young legislator who was elected for the first time during the early 90’s, he shared some fond memories about the great sense of humour of the late legislator.
He also recalled that the contribution of the former Assembly Speaker to bring back normalcy in Garo Hills during the ethnic clash between the Garo and the Rabha.
‘It is a huge loss for the State to lose such a great leader,” Chief Minister said.
Meanwhile, Sangma also expressed his deep condolences on the sudden demise of late Munde.
“He (Munde) is known to be a mass leader. I think because of this unique quality that he was chosen to as the Union Minister for Rural Development,” Chief Minister said while adding that his sudden demise is a huge lost for the whole nation.
Meanwhile, former Chief Minister DD Lapang recalled that contributions of late Rabha for overall development and progress of the State.
He said that he (Rabha) was a five MLA and also had hold position as the Assembly Speaker and also the Minister.
Meanwhile, another former Chief Minister Salseng C Marak recalled that he and late Rabha was elected at the same time when the State attain its statehood in 1972.
During his tenure as the Chief Minister, he said that Rabha was the Deputy Speaker and then the Speaker. “We always share a good rapport and enjoy the company of each other,” Marak said while adding that the demise of late Rabha is a personal lost to him.
Meanwile, NPP legislator also condoled the death of the various political leaders.
