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Former Lok Sabha Speaker P A Sangma dies of heart attack

by IBNS 04 Mar 2016, 10:05 am

New Delhi, Mar 4 (IBNS) Former Lok Sabha Speaker and a prominent politician from the Northeast, Purno Agitok Sangma, died on Friday from heart attack here. He was 68.

Lok Sabha was adjourned for the day as a mark of respect to the sitting MP.  
 
He was Speaker of Lok Sabha from 1996 to 1998 and Chief Minister of Meghalaya from 1988 to 1990. 
 
He was a co-founder of the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) and remained a member of the Lok Sabha for eight terms.
 
Politicians from all politician parties condoled the death of Sangma hailing him as one of the tallest leaders from the Northeast.
 
PM Narendra Modi tweeted: "PA Sangma was a self-made leader whose contribution towards the development of the Northeast is monumental. Saddened by his demise."
 
He said PA Sangma's tenure as Lok Sabha Speaker is unforgettable. "His down to earth personality & affable nature endeared him to many," he said.

Sangma had also contested for the post of President in 2012 but lost to Pranab Mukherjee.
 
Sangma's daughter Agatha Sangma was elected to the 15th Lok Sabha elections, and was also the youngest Minister of State in the former UPA ministry. His son, Conrad Sangma, is the Leader of the Opposition in the Meghalaya Legislative Assembly.