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Indian former Parliament Speaker PA Sangma dies at 68

Xinhua, March 4, 2016 Adjust font size:

India's former Parliament Speaker P.A. Sangma, popularly called the "Titan of the Northeast" died of a heart attack at his residence in Delhi Friday.

He was 68 years old.

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the current Speaker of the Lower House of Parliament (Lok Sabha), Sumitra Mahajan, condoled his death, and the Parliament adjourned till March 8 in his memory.

"Shri PA Sangma was a self-made leader whose contribution towards the development of the Northeast is monumental. Saddened by his demise," Modi tweeted.

He added "Shri PA Sangma's tenure as Lok Sabha Speaker is unforgettable. His down to earth personality & affable nature endeared him to many."

In fact, Sangma was the Speaker of Lok Sabha from 1996 to 1998 and Chief Minister of Meghalaya from 1988 to 1990, and he unsuccessfully contested the last presidential election against Pranab Mukherjee.

He was born and brought up in tribal village Chapahati in the northeastern state of Meghalaya and held a graduate degree in Law and a Masters degree in International Relations. Enditem