P. A. Sangma
Encyclopedia
Purno Agitok Sangma is an Indian politician
. He is a former Speaker of Lok Sabha
and Chief Minister of Meghalaya. He was a co-founder of the Nationalist Congress Party
(NCP) and remained a member of the Lok Sabha
for eight terms, i.e. 6th, 7th, 8th, 10th, 11th, 12th, 13th, and 14th Lok Sabha
. Currently he represents the Tura (ST) constituency in the West Garo Hills district in the eighth Meghalaya Legislative Assembly
.
to Dipchon Ch. Marak and Smt. Chimri A. Sangma.
After completing his graduation in (B.A. (Hons.) from St. Anthony's College, Shillong, he went to Dibrugarh University
in Assam
for his Masters degree in International Relations. Subsequently, he also obtained a degree in Law (LL.B).
In 1977, he was elected to the 6th Lok Sabha
from Tura (Lok Sabha constituency)
and remained a member of the Lok Sabha till 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 till 1996 when he became Speaker of Lok Sabha
.
He was one of the founders of Nationalist Congress Party
(NCP) along with Sharad Pawar
and Tariq Anwar in 1999, after they expelled from Congress. In January 2004, P.A.Sangma created a split in the NCP. This happened after Sharad Pawar
became close to the NCP's former rival Sonia Gandhi
. After losing a battle for the NCP election symbol, Sangma later merged his faction with Mamta Bannerjee's Trinamool Congress, forming the Nationalist Trinamool Congress. He resigned from his Lok Sabha seat on October 10, 2005 as a member of All India Trinamool Congress, and was reelected as NCP. candidate on February 2006.
In the Lok Sabha
elections 2004 Sangma was one of two NTC MPs elected. He resigned from 14th Lok Sabha
in March 2008, to take part in Meghalaya Legislative Assembly election, 2008
As of now (2009), Sangma is back in the NCP and serves as the NCP General Secretary.
was elected in the same constituency in the 15th Lok Sabha
elections, and is also the youngest Minister of State
in the current Cabinet. His son Conrad Sangma
, is the Leader of the Opposition
in Meghalaya Legislative Assembly
.
Politician
A politician, political leader, or political figure is an individual who is involved in influencing public policy and decision making...
. He is a former Speaker of Lok Sabha
Speaker of Lok Sabha
The Speaker is the presiding officer of the lower house of Parliament of India. His/her role is similar to that of Speakers elsewhere in other countries that use the Westminster system of government....
and Chief Minister of Meghalaya. He was a co-founder of the Nationalist Congress Party
Nationalist Congress Party
The Nationalist Congress Party is a centre to centre left political party primarily based in the state of Maharashtra, India.-Background:...
(NCP) and remained a member of the Lok Sabha
Lok Sabha
The Lok Sabha or House of the People is the lower house of the Parliament of India. Members of the Lok Sabha are elected by direct election under universal adult suffrage. As of 2009, there have been fifteen Lok Sabhas elected by the people of India...
for eight terms, i.e. 6th, 7th, 8th, 10th, 11th, 12th, 13th, and 14th Lok Sabha
14th Lok Sabha
The 14th Lok Sabha was convened after the Indian general election, 2004 held in four phases during 20 April – 10 May 2004, which led to the formation of First Manmohan Singh Cabinet...
. Currently he represents the Tura (ST) constituency in the West Garo Hills district in the eighth Meghalaya Legislative Assembly
Meghalaya Legislative Assembly
The Meghalaya Legislative Assembly is a unicameral legislature in the government of the state of Meghalaya in India. Constituted as a directly elected body in 1972, it comprises 60 members, filled through direct elections held every five years. Like other Indian states, Meghalaya has a...
.
Early life and education
P. A. Sangma was born on 1 September 1947 in village Chapathi in West Garo Hills, MeghalayaMeghalaya
Meghalaya is a state in north-eastern India. The word "Meghalaya" literally means the Abode of Clouds in Sanskrit and other Indic languages. Meghalaya is a hilly strip in the eastern part of the country about 300 km long and 100 km wide, with a total area of about 8,700 sq mi . The...
to Dipchon Ch. Marak and Smt. Chimri A. Sangma.
After completing his graduation in (B.A. (Hons.) from St. Anthony's College, Shillong, he went to Dibrugarh University
Dibrugarh University
Dibrugarh University is a university in the Indian state of Assam. It was set up in 1965 under the provisions of the Dibrugarh University Act, 1965, enacted by the Assam Legislative Assembly. It is a teaching-cum-affiliating university with limited residential facilities.-Accreditation:It is...
in Assam
Assam
Assam , also, rarely, Assam Valley and formerly the Assam Province , is a northeastern state of India and is one of the most culturally and geographically distinct regions of the country...
for his Masters degree in International Relations. Subsequently, he also obtained a degree in Law (LL.B).
Career
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
6th Lok Sabha
The Lok Sabha is the lower house in the Parliament of India. The 6th Lok Sabha, which ran from 23 March 1977 - 22 August 1979 was elected in February and March 1977.-Important members:* Speaker:...
from Tura (Lok Sabha constituency)
Tura (Lok Sabha constituency)
Tura Lok Sabha constituency is one of the two Lok Sabha constituencies in Meghalaya state in northeastern India.-Assembly segments:Presently, Tura Lok Sabha constituency comprises 24 Vidhan Sabha segments, which are:...
and remained a member of the Lok Sabha till 14th Lok Sabha
14th Lok Sabha
The 14th Lok Sabha was convened after the Indian general election, 2004 held in four phases during 20 April – 10 May 2004, which led to the formation of First Manmohan Singh Cabinet...
, except for the 9th Lok Sabha
9th Lok Sabha
List of Members of the 9th Lok Sabha, elected May-June 1989. The Lok Sabha is the lower house in the Parliament of India.- Important members :* Speaker:...
. 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 till 1996 when he became Speaker of Lok Sabha
Speaker of Lok Sabha
The Speaker is the presiding officer of the lower house of Parliament of India. His/her role is similar to that of Speakers elsewhere in other countries that use the Westminster system of government....
.
He was one of the founders of Nationalist Congress Party
Nationalist Congress Party
The Nationalist Congress Party is a centre to centre left political party primarily based in the state of Maharashtra, India.-Background:...
(NCP) along with Sharad Pawar
Sharad Pawar
Sharadchandra Govindrao Pawar , popularly known as SAHEB , is the president of the Nationalist Congress Party which he founded in 1999, after separating from the Indian National Congress...
and Tariq Anwar in 1999, after they expelled from Congress. In January 2004, P.A.Sangma created a split in the NCP. This happened after Sharad Pawar
Sharad Pawar
Sharadchandra Govindrao Pawar , popularly known as SAHEB , is the president of the Nationalist Congress Party which he founded in 1999, after separating from the Indian National Congress...
became close to the NCP's former rival Sonia Gandhi
Sonia Gandhi
Sonia Gandhi is an Italian-born Indian politician and the President of the Indian National Congress, one of the major political parties of India. She is the widow of former Prime Minister of India, Rajiv Gandhi...
. After losing a battle for the NCP election symbol, Sangma later merged his faction with Mamta Bannerjee's Trinamool Congress, forming the Nationalist Trinamool Congress. He resigned from his Lok Sabha seat on October 10, 2005 as a member of All India Trinamool Congress, and was reelected as NCP. candidate on February 2006.
In the Lok Sabha
Lok Sabha
The Lok Sabha or House of the People is the lower house of the Parliament of India. Members of the Lok Sabha are elected by direct election under universal adult suffrage. As of 2009, there have been fifteen Lok Sabhas elected by the people of India...
elections 2004 Sangma was one of two NTC MPs elected. He resigned from 14th Lok Sabha
14th Lok Sabha
The 14th Lok Sabha was convened after the Indian general election, 2004 held in four phases during 20 April – 10 May 2004, which led to the formation of First Manmohan Singh Cabinet...
in March 2008, to take part in Meghalaya Legislative Assembly election, 2008
Meghalaya Legislative Assembly election, 2008
The Meghalaya Legislative Assembly election of 2008 took place in a single phase on 3 March 2008 to elect the Members of the Legislative Assembly from each of the 60 Assembly Constituencies in Meghalaya, India...
As of now (2009), Sangma is back in the NCP and serves as the NCP General Secretary.
Cabinet positions held
- 1991-93 - Union Minister of State, CoalMinistry of CoalThe Ministry of Coal is an Indian government ministry. The portfolio is currently held by the Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, assisted by the Minister of State for Coal, Sriprakash Jaiswal....
(Independent Charge) - 1993-95 - Union Minister of State, LabourMinistry of Labour and Employment (India)The Ministry of Labour and Employment, a branch of the Government of India, is the apex body for formulation and administration of the rules and regulations and laws relating to labour and employment in India. Shri. Mallikarjun Kharge is the Union Minister for Labour and Employment and Shri...
(Independent Charge) - Feb.-Sept. 1995 - Union Minister of State, LabourMinistry of Labour and Employment (India)The Ministry of Labour and Employment, a branch of the Government of India, is the apex body for formulation and administration of the rules and regulations and laws relating to labour and employment in India. Shri. Mallikarjun Kharge is the Union Minister for Labour and Employment and Shri...
- 1995-96 - Union Cabinet Minister of Information and Broadcasting
Personal life
Sangma's daughter Agatha SangmaAgatha Sangma
Agatha K. Sangma is a Member of Parliament of India , and part of the 15th Lok Sabha. She represents the Tura constituency of Meghalaya state, and won the Indian parliamentary elections as a candidate of the Nationalist Congress Party . Presently she is youngest Minister of State in the current...
was elected in the same constituency in the 15th Lok Sabha
15th Lok Sabha
Members of the 15th Lok Sabha were elected in 2009 during the General Elections in India.- Important members :* Speaker: Meira Kumar, Indian National Congress, Sasaram, Bihar...
elections, and is also the youngest Minister of State
Minister of State
Minister of State is a title borne by politicians or officials in certain countries governed under a parliamentary system. In some countries a "minister of state" is a junior minister, who is assigned to assist a specific cabinet minister...
in the current Cabinet. His son Conrad Sangma
Conrad Sangma
Conrad Sangma is an Indian politician from the state of Meghalaya and current Leader of the Opposition in the eighth Meghalaya Legislative Assembly, where he represents the Selsella constituency in the West Garo Hills district...
, is the Leader of the Opposition
Leader of the Opposition
The Leader of the Opposition is a title traditionally held by the leader of the largest party not in government in a Westminster System of parliamentary government...
in Meghalaya Legislative Assembly
Meghalaya Legislative Assembly
The Meghalaya Legislative Assembly is a unicameral legislature in the government of the state of Meghalaya in India. Constituted as a directly elected body in 1972, it comprises 60 members, filled through direct elections held every five years. Like other Indian states, Meghalaya has a...
.
Notable quotes
- "Adventurism is easy, but restraint is far more difficult." - Against nuclear weapons in Lok SabhaLok SabhaThe Lok Sabha or House of the People is the lower house of the Parliament of India. Members of the Lok Sabha are elected by direct election under universal adult suffrage. As of 2009, there have been fifteen Lok Sabhas elected by the people of India...
debate - "Do you want to kill the whole world nine times? Do you want to kill the whole world 13 times? And, how can you kill a person a second time?" - Against nuclear weapons in Lok SabhaLok SabhaThe Lok Sabha or House of the People is the lower house of the Parliament of India. Members of the Lok Sabha are elected by direct election under universal adult suffrage. As of 2009, there have been fifteen Lok Sabhas elected by the people of India...
debate
External links
- Biography - From Lok SabhaLok SabhaThe Lok Sabha or House of the People is the lower house of the Parliament of India. Members of the Lok Sabha are elected by direct election under universal adult suffrage. As of 2009, there have been fifteen Lok Sabhas elected by the people of India...
Speakers' official site - XII LOK SABHA DEBATES - Sangma's famous debate against nuclear weapons
- Interview with Sangma by Rediff on NCP split up
See also
- Politics of IndiaPolitics of IndiaThe politics of India takes place within the framework of a federal constitutional republic, in which the President of India is head of state and the Prime Minister of India is the head of government. Executive power is exercised by the President and is independent of the legislature...
- Nuclear disarmamentNuclear disarmamentNuclear disarmament refers to both the act of reducing or eliminating nuclear weapons and to the end state of a nuclear-free world, in which nuclear weapons are completely eliminated....