Info. Source: P._A._Sangma | Image Source: topnews

P A Sangma, who was the Speaker of the Lok Sabha from 1996 to 1998, passed away after brief illness in Delhi on Friday. He was believed to be a true gentleman leader believing in high principles. He stuck to these in his dealings with other political parties. He was one of the very few Indian politician widely accepted across all Political parties regardless of his affiliations. He was vocal of his opinions not just for the party but inside the party as well. He was a politician to be emulated and learn from.

Purno Agitok Sangma was born in 1 September 1947 in a village Chapathi in West Garo Hills, Meghalaya to Dipchon Ch. Marak and Smt. Chimri A. Sangma.

>In 1973, he became Vice-President of the Pradesh Youth Congress in Meghalaya and became the General Secretary the next year.
>In 1977, he was elected to the 6th Lok Sabha from Tura (Lok Sabha constituency) and remained a member of the Lok Sabha until 14th Lok Sabha, except for the 9th Lok Sabha.
> He served as the Chief Minister of Meghalaya from 1988 to 1990.
> He was a co-founder of the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP).

> Survived by: Sangma’s is survived by daughter Agatha Sangma was elected in the same constituency in the 15th Lok Sabha elections, and was also the youngest Minister of State in the former UPA ministry. And His son, Conrad Sangma, is the Leader of the Opposition in the Meghalaya Legislative Assembly.

> Controversy: The NCP general secretary was expelled from the Congress on 20 May 1999, along with Sharad Pawar and Tariq Anwar for raising the banner of revolt against Sonia Gandhi over her foreign origin issue.[4] He was one of the founders of Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) along with Sharad Pawar and Tariq Anwar in 1999, after their expulsion.[5] In January 2004, P.A.Sangma created a split in the NCP. This happened after Sharad Pawar became close to the NCP’s former rival Sonia Gandhi.

> Presidential race: In 2012, he was one of the nominees for the presidential candidate.

> Role he is known for: 1996-98 – Speaker of Lok Sabha -Chairman, (i) Business Advisory Committee; (ii) Rules Committee; (iii) General Purposes Committee; (iv) Standing Committee of the Conference of Presiding Officers of the Legislative Bodies in India; and (v) Institute of Constitutional and Parliamentary Studies;

We mourn and pray for his soul. Our prayers are with the Sangma family. May his soul rest in peace!