In a significant departure from the 49-year-old Indian Parliamentary Convention, the 11th Lok Sabha unanimously elected a member from the opposition, P.A. Sangma, as the Speaker. From a humble beginning in a small tribal village in Meghalaya, he rose to the exalted office of the Speaker of the Lok Sabha.
Purno Agitok Sangma was born on Septmber 1, 1947 at village Chaphati in West Garo Hills district of Meghalaya. After completing his graduation from St. Anthony’s College, Shillong, he went to Dibrugarh University in Assam for his Master’s Degree in International Relations. He also obtained a degree in Law.
He started his political career as a worker of the Congress Party and in 1974, became the General Secretary of the Meghalaya Pradesh Youth Congress. In 1977, he was elected to the Lok Sabha and later assumed office of the Deputy Minister in charge of Industry. In 1988, Sangma became the Chief Minister of Meghalaya.