Former Lok Sabha Speaker PA Sangma dies due to heart attack

Former Lok Sabha Speaker PA Sangma died on Friday following a heart attack. The 68-year-old was suffering from a brief illness.

Lok Sabha has been adjourned for the day as a mark of respect to the sitting MP. "We deeply mourn the passing away of PA Sangma ji, I had learnt how to run Lok Sabha with a smile from him," Lok Sabha Speaker Sumitra Mahajan said.

Tributes have started pouring in for the leader.

Union Minister Nitin Gadkari said, "he was amongst by best friends. He always pitched for development of north east. This is a loss to nation."

Congress leader Shashi Tharoor said, "It's shocking news. He listed his name to speak on President's address just two days ago and today he is no more. I condole his death. India has lost important leader."

NCP chief Sharad Pawar called his detah a great loss. "Many times we worked together. It is a shocking news as he was quite fit."

Sangma was a nine-time member of Lok Sabha and the Speaker in the 11th Lok Sabha. He had also held important portfolios in the central government. He was also the Chief Minister of Meghalaya from 1988 to 1990 and Leader of Opposition in the assembly from 1990 to 1991.

Born on September 1, 1947 in village Chapahati in the picturesque West Garo Hills District of Meghalaya, Sangma grew up in the small tribal village and struggled hard to rise in life.

After completing his graduation from St Anthony's College, he went to Dibrugarh University in Assam for his Masters degree in International Relations. Subsequently, he also obtained a degree in Law.

A Congressman who was one of the founding members of the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP), was expelled from it in July 2012 when he refused to accept his party's decision to quit the race for India's President. In January 2013, he had formed the National People's Party.