Meghalaya Assembly Speaker Donkupar Roy dies at 64
The former chief minister was reportedly unwell for last 10 days and died at 2.50 pm in Gurugram.
Meghalaya Assembly Speaker and former Chief Minister Donkupar Roy died in Gurugram on Sunday, ANI reported. The 64-year-old was unwell for the last 10 days and died at 2.50 pm at Medanta Hospital. His body will be taken back to Meghalaya on Monday for the last rites.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad Sangma expressed their condolences in the evening.
“Anguished by the demise of Dr Donkupar Roy, Speaker of the Meghalaya Assembly and former CM of the state,” Modi said in a tweet. “Passionate about Meghalaya’s progress. He served the state with great diligence and helped transform many lives. Condolences to his family and supporters.”
Sangma also said he was deeply saddened by Roy’s death. “We have lost a leader, a mentor, who had dedicated his life for the service of the people,” he tweeted. May Almighty provide strength to his family in this hour of grief. May his soul RIP [rest in peace].”
Anguished by the demise of Dr. Donkupar Roy, Speaker of the Meghalaya Assembly and former CM of the state. Passionate about Meghalaya’s progress, he served the state with great diligence and helped transform many lives. Condolences to his family and supporters: PM @narendramodi
— PMO India (@PMOIndia) July 28, 2019
Deeply saddened by the untimely demise of Speaker of Meghalaya Assembly Dr Donkupar Roy. We have lost a leader, a mentor, who had dedicated his life for the service of the people. May Almighty provide strength to his family in this hour of grief. May his soul RIP 🙏
— Conrad Sangma (@SangmaConrad) July 28, 2019
I am deeply shocked by the unexpected news of the sad demise of our honourable Speaker, Dr Donkupar Roy. Lost a personal friend & a leader of the state,rare,trustworthy & dependable. Deepest condolences to the bereaved family.
— Mukul Sangma (@mukulsangma) July 28, 2019
Former Meghalaya Chief Minister Mukul Sangma said he was shocked by the “unexpected demise” of Roy and added that he was a rare leader who was trustworthy and dependable.
Roy was the president of the United Democratic Party. He was also one of the most influential politicians from the Khasi community. His party is a key partner in the Conrad Sangma’s National People’s Party-led Meghalaya Democratic Alliance government. He was elected Assembly speaker in March 2018.
Roy was first elected to the Assembly in 1988 as an independent MLA from Shella Assembly constituency in East Khasi Hills district, Northeast Now reported. He was the chief minister from 2008 to 2009. He also won from Shella for seven consecutive terms and was not defeated till the 2018 Assembly elections.