Meghalaya government today announced a seven-day state mourning following the demise of National People's Party founder late Purno Agitok Sangma.
Speaker Abu Taher Mondal broke the news of his demise immediately after the Governor's address on the first day of the Budget session, shocking everyone present in the House.
"One of the stalwarts of this House and who is also a member of the Lok Sabha (P A Sangma) passed away this morning in New Delhi," Mondal said.
The Speaker also cut short today's session and announced adjournment of the House till the day of his funeral to facilitate and ensure that all members attend it as proposed by the Chief Minister.
Expressing shock at the news, an emotional Chief Minister Mukul Sangma said he is "perturbed and deeply grieved" the loss of a leader in the capacity of P A Sangma.
He said he had directed the Chief Secretary to keep in constant touch with the 'Meghalaya House' in New Delhi and the family to facilitate any arrangements required by the family members.
He also said that the state government has declared a seven days of state mourning to honour the great politician whose demise left an "irreplaceable loss" to the state.
Recalling P A Sangma's contribution, Mukul said, "No leader from this part of the country has achieved this extra-ordinary innings in political and public life."
He termed him as an "incomparable" leader who identifies the people of the state with the rest of the country.
Leader of Opposition and president of United Democratic Party Donkupar Roy said he realized that Sangma was an exceptional leader that the state ever produced ever since their first meeting in 1988.
Roy recalled the contribution made by Purno in the capacity of a former Union cabinet minister, a Speaker in the Lok Sabha and as a chief minister of the state besides as a member of the legislative assembly.
Government's chief adviser and Meghalaya Pradesh Congress Committee president D D Lapang said P A Sangma did have a "global mindset".
Hills State Peoples Democratic Party President Ardent Basaiawmoit recalled how "witty" P A Sangma could be.
