New Delhi, March 9 (MExN): The North East MPs Forum held a condolence meeting at the Parliament Annexe in New Delhi today to mourn the untimely demise of Former Lok Sabha Speaker PA Sangma, a press release received here informed.
Addressing the condolence meeting, Sikkim Lok Sabha MP Shri Prem Das Rai, Secretary-General of NEMPF, gave a brief account of Sangma’s life and contribution to the nation. He remarked that late Sangma will be remembered as the man who ran the parliament with a smile. Nagland Lok Sabha MP Neiphiu Rio, Vice Chairman, NEMPF, also paid rich tributes to the departed soul.
A two-minute silence was observed in the memory of the departed soul. Several parliamentarians from the North-East attended the condolence meeting.
A condolence message to mourn the death of the former Lok Sabha Speaker was read out by Rai on behalf of the Forum.
In its condolence message, the North East MPs stated that late Sangma, as Chief Minister of Meghalaya from 1988 to 1990, was instrumental in enabling the state to achieve rapid growth.
In ascending the chair of the Lok Sabha Speaker, late Sangma will be remembered as the man who ran the parliament with a smile, the message stated. “His stint as Speaker saw the formation of a Standing Joint Parliamentary Committee on Empowerment of Women. He facilitated constitution of a Joint Parliamentary Committee for considering the Constitutional (Eighty-first) Amendment Bill seeking to enhance the presence of women in Parliament. Perhaps his experience of living in the matrilineal state of Meghalaya was an inspiration,” the note added.
The NEMPF referred to late Sangma as a “strong advocate” for building strong institutions to facilitate the development of the region. “A political titan of the North-East and champion of development, Sangma will forever be remembered as an agent of social change and flag bearer of the idea of India,” it added.
It may be mentioned here that NEMPF was first formed in 1994-95 during the 10th Lok Sabha with late Sangma taking the lead in its formation.
