Shillong, Aug 17: Words alone cannot do justice when one talks about a stalwart like the late Salseng C. Marak, a leader with the highest of integrity yet blessed with great wisdom to easily navigate the intricate meandering of politics, especially in a state like Meghalaya where the Chief Minister’s chair had once become famous as the ‘Musical Chair’.

Although his innings as people’s representative began in 1972 from Resubelpara, a remote constituency in the current North Garo Hills district, his political acumen was visible in 1970 when he joined the Late Williamson A. Sangma, the first Chief Minister of Meghalaya, for a separate state carved from Assam for the Garo and the Khasi-Jaintia tribes. He was then part of the All Party Hill Leaders Conference (APHLC), which won 32 seats in 1972 Meghalaya Legislative Assembly election.

Late Salseng C. Marak was born on January 16, 1941, in Garo Hills in the undivided Assam, and rose from humble beginnings to script his name in the annals of Meghalaya’s political history as one of its most respected leaders.

Educated at the Union Christian College, Umiam, where he completed his BA in Arts. He also studied at Kolkata’s prestigious Scottish Church College. Marak’s early career as an educator showcased his commitment to the empowerment of young minds. He served as an Assistant Teacher at Nishangram High School from 1965 to 1968, later taking on the role of Headmaster at Resubelpara Girls High School from 1968 to 1971.

He was elected to the first House of the Meghalaya Legislative Assembly in 1972, representing the Resubelpara constituency under the banner of APHLC. His remarkable political career saw him re-elected for six consecutive terms as an MLA from Resubelpara, serving until 2003. He, however, had changed his party to Indian National Congress (INC) when he contested in the 1978 Assembly elections, and remained with the party till his last breath.

In 2013, he returned as an MLA based on this popularity and unblemished record saw, marking his 7th term in the Assembly.

The high point in Marak’s political career was when he was appointed the sixth Chief Minister of Meghalaya, a position he held from February 19, 1993, to March 10, 1998. His tenure is remembered for its visionary decisions, most notably the phased establishment of the Indira Gandhi Regional Institute of Health & Medical Sciences in Shillong, ensuring that the people of Meghalaya had access to quality health services.

He also created history by becoming the first Chief Minister to serve full 5 – year term without changing party. He became the Chief Minister when the state was going through political instability during early 1990s, when regional forces were at the forefront of government formations and collapses. Despite multiple attempts to bring down his government by regional forces, he remained the CM for the full term.

His leadership was critical to put a stop to the infamous ‘Musical Chair’ tag to Meghalaya’s Chief Ministership, as he showed that the State can have stability.

He was also the third Garo Chief Minister of the State, after Late Williamson A. Sangma and Late Purno A. Sangma.

Throughout his illustrious career, he held various key positions within the assembly and the government, including President and General Secretary of the Meghalaya Pradesh Congress Committee (MPCC). He also served as a Minister in the Meghalaya Cabinet, where he oversaw critical portfolios such as Industries, Excise, Food & Civil Supplies, Public Health Engineering (PHE), Public Works Department (PWD), Forests, Soil Conservation, and Tourism.

In addition to his contributions to healthcare, Marak’s leadership was instrumental in the acquisition of land and the construction of key infrastructures, such as the Meghalaya State Guest House in Guwahati and the Second Meghalaya House at the Eastern Metropolitan Bypass in Kolkata. These initiatives were driven by his desire to ease the lives of students, patients, and citizens traveling to major cities.

His also ensured establishment of Navodaya Vidyalaya in West Khasi Hills and the decisive move to permanently take over primary education from the District Council. Moreover, his vision for agricultural development led to the creation of a separate Directorate of Horticulture under the Agriculture Department, aimed at improving the productivity and quality of horticultural produce. His foresight in establishing the Meghalaya Economic Development Council demonstrated his commitment to balanced and rapid development across all regions of the state.

Late Salseng C. Marak’s legacy extends beyond his political achievements; he was a beacon of integrity and a stalwart advocate for clean politics, known to everyone as ‘Mr. Clean’. His leadership was characterized by transparency, accountability, and an unwavering dedication to the welfare of the people of Meghalaya.

His passing on August 16, 2024, marks the end of an era, but his contributions will continue to resonate in the hearts of those who seek to follow in his footsteps. He showed the world that politics can still be ethical and principled.

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