Purno Agitok (P. A.) Sangma was an Indian politician who served as the "Speaker of the Lok Sabha" from 1996 to 1998 and Chief Minister of Meghalaya from 1988 to 1990. He is a popular figure in the Indian political circuit. He presided over the 11th Lok Sabha as a speaker and is well known for his jovial, friendly and warm character. As a co-founder of the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP), he stayed a member of the Lok Sabha for 8 terms.
Early Life of P.A. Sangma
P. A. Sangma was born on 1 September 1947 in village Chapahati in the West Garo Hills District of Meghalaya in North-East India. He went to Dibrugarh University in Assam for his Masters degree in International Relations, after finishing his graduation from St. Anthony"s College. Afterward, he also incurred a degree in Law.
Career of P.A. Sangma
P.A. Sangma have been a lecturer, a lawyer and a journalist before he joined politics. In 1973, he became Vice-President of the "Pradesh Youth Congress" in Meghalaya and became the "General Secretary" the next year. He served as the General Secretary of the Pradesh Congress Committee of Meghalaya from 1975 to 1980.
In 1977, he was elected to the 6th Lok Sabha from Tura and remained a member of the Lok Sabha until 14th Lok Sabha (except for the 9th Lok Sabha). From 1980 to 1988, he served the Union Government of India under various capacities. He served as the Chief Minister of Meghalaya from 1988 to 1990. In 1991, when he was elected to the Lok Sabha again, he again served the Union government until 1996 when he became Speaker of Lok Sabha.
In January 2004, P.A. Sangma created a split in the NCP. After losing a battle for the NCP election symbol, Sangma later merged his section with the current Chief Minister of West Bengal and TMC chief Mamata Banerjee"s Trinamool Congress, forming the "Nationalist Trinamool Congress". He resigned from his Lok Sabha seat on 10th October 2005 as a member of AITMC/TMC, and was re-elected as NCP candidate on February 2006. He resigned from 14th Lok Sabha in March 2008, to take part in Meghalaya Legislative Assembly election, 2008.
P.A. Sangma resigned from NCP on 20 June 2012 after opposition from Sharad Pawar over his Presidential candidature. In 2012 he contested against Pranab Mukherjee for the post of the President and lost. On 5th January 2013, Sangma launched National People"s Party on national level.
Death of P.A. Sangma
On March 4, 2016, P.A. Sangma died suddenly after a heart attack. He was aged 68. He is survived by his wife and children.
Personal life of P.A. Sangma
P.A. Sangma"s 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. His son Conrad Sangma is the leader of the opposition in the Meghalaya Legislative Assembly.
