Conrad Sangma

Last updated

Mehtab Sangma
(m. 2009)
Conrad K. Sangma
The Chief Minister of Meghalaya, Shri Conrad Sangma.JPG
Official Portrait
12th Chief Minister of Meghalaya
Assumed office
6 March 2018
Children2
Parent
Relatives James Sangma (brother)
Agatha Sangma (sister)
Christi Sangma (sister)
Education

Conrad Kongkal Sangma (born 27 January 1978) is an Indian politician who is the 12th and current Chief Minister of Meghalaya since 2018. [1] He is a member of the National People's Party. His father was former Chief Minister, former Speaker of the Lok Sabha P. A. Sangma. He was also a Member of Parliament from Tura (2016–2018). [2] He represents the South Tura constituency since 2018 and Selsella constituency from 2008 to 2013. Sangma was also minister of finance, power and tourism, Government of Meghalaya from 2008 to 2009. He is former leader of the opposition in the Meghalaya Legislative Assembly. [3] He also served as National President of the Nationalist Youth Congress.

Contents

Career

Upon completing his studies, Sangma started his political career in the late 1990s, as the campaign manager for his father, P. A. Sangma for the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP). [4] He contested his first election in 2004, where he campaignd for a seat in the Garo Hills Autonomous District Council and lost by 182 votes. [5] He was first elected to the State Assembly along with his brother James, both as NCP members in the 2008 state elections and later held several important portfolios in the state cabinet, [6] including the Finance, Power, Tourism, GAD and IT and presented his first annual budget for Meghalaya within 10 days of debuting as a minister. From 2009 to 2013 Sangma held the post of Leader of Opposition in the Meghalaya Legislative Assembly. Sangam lost hes seat in the 2013 Meghalaya Legislative Assembly election. [7]

In March 2016 he was elected national president of the National People's Party (NPP) following his father's death earlier that year. [8] In May that year, contesting from Tura at the by-election to the Lok Sabha, he won by a record margin of 1.92 lakh votes. [9]

Chief Minister of Meghalaya

Sangma's party, the NPP, came second behind the Indian National Congress winning 19 seats at the 2018 Meghalaya legislative assembly election. [10] Requiring 30 seats to form a government in the State, the NPP allied with other regional parties taking the number to 34. Subsequently, Sangma staked claim to form government upon meeting the Governor of Meghalaya Ganga Prasad with a letter of support from the 34 members of the legislative assembly, that included 19 from NPP, six from the United Democratic Party, four from the People's Democratic Front, two each from the Hill State People's Democratic Party and the Bharatiya Janata Party, and an independent, [11] and was declared the Chief Minister-elect. [12] He was sworn in on 6 March, replacing Mukul Sangma who is not related to him. In August 2018, he contested the by-election for the South Tura seat and polled 13,656 votes. Sangma defeated his nearest Congress rival Charlotte W Momin by a margin of over 8,400 votes. [13] He was elected as Meghalaya chief minister for the second term on 7 March 2023. [14]

Personal life

Conrad Sangma was born on 27 January 1978 in Tura, a town in the West Garo Hills district, Meghalaya. [15] His father Purno Sangma was a former Chief Minister of Meghalaya and Speaker of the Lok Sabha, and mother Soradini, a homemaker. [16] His siblings, older brother James and younger sister Agatha, are politicians with the NPP. Another sister Christy, [17] however, has remained non-political. [18] Conrad was brought up in Delhi and was educated at the St. Columba's School there. [5] He received a bachelor's degree in business administration in entrepreneurial management from the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania, before completing his MBA in finance from Imperial College London. [2] [19]

Sangma married Mehtab Chandee, a doctor by profession, on 29 May 2009, [20] and has two daughters with her: Amara (born c.2011) and Katelyn (born 2017). [21] [22] Apart from politics, Sangma has been associated with social work, as president of the PA Sangma Foundation, which functions for the betterment of sectors of education and environment, and also runs four colleges in rural Meghalaya. He also currently serves as President of the Meghalaya Cricket Association and Sports Academy. [23]

Conrad Sangma plays the electric guitar and is a fan of the heavy metal band Iron Maiden. In May 2020, he received significant notice for posting a video of himself on Instagram playing the Iron Maiden song "Wasted Years". [24] [25]

Related Research Articles

Adolf Lu Hitler Rangsa Marak is an Indian politician of the Nationalist Congress Party who served as an environment and later cooperation minister until 2003 in the Government of Meghalaya.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">P. A. Sangma</span> Indian politician (1947–2016)

Purno Agitok Sangma was an Indian politician who has served as the 4th Chief Minister of Meghalaya from 1988 to 1990 and the 11th Speaker of the Lok Sabha from 1996 to 1998. He also served as a member of the Lok Sabha from Tura from 2014 to 2016, 1991 to 2008 and from 1977 to 1989 and the minister of 21st Information and Broadcasting in the Rao ministry from 1995 to 1996, founder of NPP and Co- founder of NCP. He was the candidate for the 2012 Indian presidential election, supported by BJP and AIADMK, however he lost to Congress politician Shri Pranab Mukherjee. He was awarded the Padma Vibhushan, India's second highest civilian award, posthumously in 2017 in the field of Public Affairs and was the first recipient of Padma Vibhushan from Meghalaya.

East Garo Hills is an administrative district in the state of Meghalaya in India.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">West Garo Hills district</span> District of Meghalaya in India

West Garo Hills is an administrative district in Garo Hills of the state of Meghalaya in India. Tura town is the administrative headquarters of the district. The district occupies an area of 3714 km². In 2011, its population was 643,291. As of 2011, it is the second most populous district of Meghalaya, after East Khasi Hills.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">United Democratic Party (Meghalaya)</span> Political party in India

The United Democratic Party is a political party recognised in Meghalaya state, India. It is now led by Metbah Lyngdoh. It was started by E. K. Mawlong.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Agatha Sangma</span> Indian politician

Agatha Kongkal Sangma is an Indian politician serving as a Member of Parliament, Lok Sabha representing the Tura constituency of Meghalaya. At the age of 29, she is the youngest member of parliament ever in India to be appointed Union Minister in Government of India till date. Sangma is the second woman from Northeast India to be appointed a union minister in the Government of India after Renuka Devi Barkataki from Assam. She is a member of National People's Party.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mukul Sangma</span> Indian politician

Mukul Manda Sangma is an Indian politician and physician who was the 11th Chief Minister of Meghalaya from 2010 to 2018 and is currently leader of the opposition in the Meghalaya Legislative Assembly since 2018.Sangma also served as Deputy Chief Minister of Meghalaya from 2009 to 2010, 2007 to 2008 and 2005 to 2005. He has been a member of the All India Trinamool Congress since November 2021; previously, he was a longtime member of the Indian National Congress.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">National People's Party (India)</span> Political party in India

The National People's Party is a national-level political party in India, though its influence is mostly concentrated in the state of Meghalaya. The party was founded by P. A. Sangma after his expulsion from the NCP in July 2012. It was accorded national party status on 7 June 2019. It is the first political party from Northeastern India to have attained this status.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Meghalaya Legislative Assembly</span> Unicameral legislature of the Indian state of Meghalaya

The Meghalaya Legislative Assembly is the unicameral legislature of the Indian state of Meghalaya.

Williamson Ampang Sangma, was a Garo leader, and the first Chief Minister of Meghalaya. He was also the first ever Governor of Mizoram among the Garos in 1989.

The North-East Democratic Alliance is a political coalition that was formed on May 24, 2016, by Bharatiya Janata Party. The motive of the new political front was to protect the interest of the people of the region as well as uniting non-Congress parties in Northeast India. Himanta Biswa Sarma was appointed as the convenor of the front.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">James Sangma</span> Indian politician

James Pangsang Kongkal Sangma is an Indian politician from the state of Meghalaya who is currently serving as the Chairman of Meghalaya Industries Development Corporation since 2023. Sangma was a Cabinet Minister of Home, District Council Affairs, Food Civil Supplies & Consumer Affairs, Law, Power, Government of Meghalaya from 2018 to 2023. He was first elected to the State Assembly along with his brother Conrad Sangma, both as NCP members in the 2008 state elections from Dadenggre (ST) constituency in the West Garo Hills district from 2008 to 2023. Sangma is the son of former Chief Minister of Meghalaya and also Speaker of the Lok Sabha, P. A. Sangma, his sister, Agatha Sangma was a member of the 15th Lok Sabha and a former Union Cabinet minister Minister of State, while his brother Conrad Sangma since 2018 the Chief Minister of Meghalaya, from 2009 to 2013 he held the post of Leader of Opposition in the Meghalaya Legislative Assembly and was Member of Parliament from Tura Parliamentary constituency which he won in a by-election after his father's death.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2018 Meghalaya Legislative Assembly election</span> Indian regional election

The Meghalaya Legislative Assembly election was held on 27 February 2018 to elect 59 of 60 members to the Meghalaya Legislative Assembly, with the results declared on 3 March. The scheduled election in Williamnagar constituency was delayed to an undetermined date following the death of Nationalist Congress Party candidate Jonathone Sangma in an IED blast in East Garo Hills district on 18 February 2018. The incumbent Indian National Congress government, led by Chief Minister Mukul Sangma, attempted to win re-election for the third consecutive time.

This is a list of minister from Conrad Sangma cabinet starting from 6 March 2018. Conrad Sangma, the leader of NPP was sworn in as the Chief Minister of Meghalaya on 6 March 2018.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Prestone Tynsong</span> Indian politician

Prestone Tynsong is an Indian politician who is serving as the 3rd Deputy Chief Minister of Meghalaya and minister of Public Works Department (Roads), Animal Husbandry, Veterinary, Housing, Labour and Parliamentary Affairs, Government of Meghalaya since 2018.He is a member of NPP since 2017 and INC before 2017.Tynsong represents the Pynursla constituency in the Meghalaya Legislative Assembly since 2013.

Selsella is one of the 60 Legislative Assembly constituencies of Meghalaya state in India. It is part of West Garo Hills district and is reserved for candidates belonging to the Scheduled Tribes. It falls under Tura Lok Sabha constituency and its current MLA is Arbinstone B. Marak of National People's Party.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">South Tura Assembly constituency</span> Legislative Assembly constituency in Meghalaya State, India

South Tura is one of the 60 Legislative Assembly constituencies of Meghalaya state in India. It is part of West Garo Hills district and is reserved for candidates belonging to the Scheduled Tribes. It falls under Tura Lok Sabha constituency and its current MLA is Conrad Sangma of National People's Party.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2023 Meghalaya Legislative Assembly election</span>

Legislative Assembly elections were held in Meghalaya on 27 February 2023 to elect all 60 members of the Meghalaya Legislative Assembly. The votes were counted and the results were declared on 2 March 2023.

Meghalaya Democratic Alliance is a state-level alliance in the Meghalaya Legislative Assembly led by National People's Party. The Post-Poll Alliance won majority in 2018 Meghalaya Legislative Assembly election but did not contest unitedly in 2023 Meghalaya Legislative Assembly election as NPP decided to go solo. Other parties also declared to contest alone or in small regional alliance in one or more constituencies.

The Second Conrad Sangma ministry is formed after the swearing-in ceremony held on 7 March 2023. Governor Phagu Chauhan took oath of Chief Minister and 11 other ministers. Conrad Sangma took oath as Chief Minister for second consecutive term became first one to do so in electoral history of Meghalaya.

References

  1. "Congress outsmarted in Meghalaya, Conrad Sangma to be sworn in March 6". The Hindu. 4 March 2018. Archived from the original on 4 March 2018. Retrieved 5 March 2018.
  2. 1 2 "Conrad delivers quickie budget". The Telegraph. 28 March 2008. Archived from the original on 12 June 2012. Retrieved 24 August 2010.
  3. "List Of Members Of The Eight Meghalaya Legislative Assembly". Meghalaya Legislative Assembly, Official Website. Archived from the original on 11 May 2011.
  4. "'In Garo Hills, I'm the moon that won't be eclipsed'". The Indian Express. 25 September 1999.
  5. 1 2 Masih, Archana (18 February 2013). "How a Wharton graduate fits into North-East politics". Rediff.com. Archived from the original on 6 March 2018. Retrieved 5 March 2018.
  6. "Sangma dynasty gains momentum in Meghalaya". Rediff.com News. 23 April 2008. Archived from the original on 8 May 2009. Retrieved 24 August 2010.
  7. Detailed Results State Election, 2013 to the Legislative Assembly Of Meghalaya (PDF). Election Commission of India. p. 11.
  8. "Conrad K Sangma Elected NPP President". The Northeast Today. 16 March 2016. Archived from the original on 21 March 2016. Retrieved 6 March 2018.
  9. "Tura gifts Conrad huge-win mantle". The Telegraph. 20 May 2016. Archived from the original on 6 March 2018. Retrieved 6 March 2018.
  10. "Hung Assembly in Meghalaya, Congress single largest party". The Hindu. 3 March 2018. Archived from the original on 5 March 2018. Retrieved 5 March 2018.
  11. "Meghalaya assembly elections 2018: NPP-led alliance all set to form govt". Mint. 5 March 2018. Archived from the original on 5 March 2018. Retrieved 5 March 2018.
  12. "Congress outsmarted in Meghalaya, Conrad Sangma to be sworn in March 6". The Hindu. Press Trust of India. 4 March 2018. Archived from the original on 4 March 2018. Retrieved 5 March 2018.
  13. "Conrad Sangma sworn-in as Meghalaya CM". The Hindu. 6 March 2018. Archived from the original on 6 March 2018. Retrieved 6 March 2018.
  14. "Conrad Sangma Takes Oath as Meghalaya Chief Minister Again, PM Present".
  15. "Conrad Sangma is the new Chief Minister of Meghalaya". The Northeast Today. 4 March 2018. Archived from the original on 5 March 2018. Retrieved 5 March 2018.
  16. "Conrad Sangma". University of Pennsylvania . stwing.upenn.edu. Archived from the original on 17 January 1999. Retrieved 5 March 2018.
  17. "Agatha, Pala to be sworn in today". Shillong Times. 28 May 2009. Archived from the original on 2 August 2018. Retrieved 5 March 2018.
  18. "My daughters named after Agatha Christie: Sangma". Rediff.com . 15 July 2012. Archived from the original on 5 March 2018. Retrieved 5 March 2018.
  19. "Meghalaya polls: No BJP or Cong, NPP aims for sole sway". The Times of India. 24 February 2018. Archived from the original on 31 July 2018. Retrieved 5 March 2018.
  20. Dholabhai, Nishit (3 June 2009). "Children set stage for thaw". The Telegraph . Archived from the original on 6 March 2018. Retrieved 5 March 2018.
  21. Khan, Saidul (28 February 2018). "Battle of Sangmas sealed in ballot box". The Telegraph. Archived from the original on 5 March 2018. Retrieved 5 March 2018.
  22. "Conrad's Mantra: People, Principles And Participation To Be Guiding Force". Shillong Times . 21 May 2016. Archived from the original on 5 March 2018. Retrieved 5 March 2018.
  23. "Meet Conrad Sangma: PA Sangma's son and next CM of Meghalaya". The Financial Express. 4 March 2018. Archived from the original on 4 March 2018. Retrieved 5 March 2018.
  24. "Meghalaya CM Conrad Sangma's cover of an Iron Maiden song is a social media hit". The Indian Express. 23 May 2020. Retrieved 8 November 2020.
  25. "Watch: Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad Sangma plays Iron Maiden's 'Wasted Years' on his guitar". Scroll.in. 24 May 2020. Retrieved 8 November 2020.
Political offices
Preceded by Member of Parliament
for Tura

2016 – 2019
Succeeded by
Preceded by Chief Minister of Meghalaya
6 March 2018 – Present
Succeeded by
Incumbent