Meghalaya Assembly Speaker Donkupar Roy passes away at 64

Meghalaya Assembly Speaker Donkupar Roy passed away on Sunday in Gurugram. He was admitted to Medanta Hospital due to prolong illness. He breathed his last at 2 o'clock in the afternoon. 

Donkupar Roy, president of United Democratic Party (UDP), the key ally in the NPP-led Meghalaya Democratic Alliance (MDA) government, was elected as the assembly speaker in March, 2018. Roy was first elected in 1988 as an independent MLA from Shella assembly constituency in East Khasi Hills district. He was also the Chief Minister of Meghalaya from 2008 to 2009.  He won from Shella constituency for the seventh consecutive term and was not defeated since 1988 till 2018 Assembly elections.

Soon after the news came to the foray, Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad Sangma took to Twitter and wrote, “Deeply saddened by the demise of Speaker of Meghalaya Legislative Assembly Dr Donkupar Roy. In his death, we have lost a leader, a guide, who had dedicated his life for the service of the people. May almighty provide strength to his family in this hour of grief. Rest in peace!

Deeply saddened by the demise of Speaker of Meghalaya Legislative Assembly Dr Donkupar Roy. In his death, we have lost a leader, a guide, who had dedicated his life for the service of the people.
May almighty provide strength to his family in this hour of grief.
Rest in peace!

— Conrad Sangma (@SangmaConrad) July 28, 2019

Prime Minister Narendra Modi also expressed anguish over the demise of Meghalaya Assembly speaker Donkupar Roy, saying he "transformed many lives".

"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," the Prime Minister's Office tweeted quoting Modi. The prime minister expressed condolences to Roy's family and supporters.