Shillong, Mar 4: The 10th death anniversary of Garo Hills political titan Purno A Sangma was used today to showcase the former MP, Chief Minister and Speaker of the Lok Sabha as committed to constitutional integrity over political interests.
Former Phulbari MLA SG Esmatur Mominin recalled a 2015 incident when he was given the party ticket for the MDC election – a move that sparked internal party conflict.
Sangma died on March 4, 2016. Mominin was the NPP MLA for Phulbari from 2018 to 2023. He was then denied a party ticket ahead of the 2023 election and joined the Trinamool Congress. However, he lost the election.
According to Mominin, two MLAs, four MDCs, ex-legislators and party functionaries protested at Sangma’s residence back in 2015, opposing the nomination of a non-tribal candidate, backed by civil society and NGOs.
Mominin recalled a tense atmosphere at Sangma’s residence, with intense protests and prolonged discussions. Sangma listened patiently, then returned with a copy of the Indian Constitution.
The former MLA stated that Sangma read aloud the Sixth Schedule’s provisions, explaining them in Garo, clarifying district council election eligibility and rules.
According to Mominin, Sangma declared his commitment to upholding the Constitution, stating his political legacy depended on it, and would either exercise his authority to nominate a candidate as per the Constitution or step down if it did not permit it.
Quoting the late leader, Mominin said he (Sangma) would resign as MP if the Constitution did not allow him to grant a ticket to a non-tribal candidate.
Mominin urged Garo Hills to stay united, saying tribal and non-tribal communities are integral to the region and should not be divided by politics.
