Itanagar: Members of the Arunachal Pradesh Legislative Assembly, led by Deputy Speaker Tesam Pongte and Deputy Chief Minister Chowna Mein on the opening day of the Budget session on Monday paid rich tributes to former Ministers Thupten Tempa and Karma Wangchu, and former MLA Jambey Tashi, who died during October-November last year.
Initiating the obituary reference in respect of the three departed leaders from Tawang district, the Deputy Speaker gave brief accounts of life and achievements of all three leaders and said that their sudden passing away has caused a huge loss to the State.
Former minister Thupten Tempa passed away on October 7 last at the age of 64 after a prolonged illness. An MA in International Politics, the bureaucrat-turned-politician entered active politics in the early 90’s and found immediate success in electoral politics.
He was elected from Tawang Assembly Constituency consecutively three times in 1990, 1995 and 1999, serving as Cabinet Minister for all three terms under the Chief Ministership of Gegong Apang and Mukut Mithi.
“During his illustrious political career, late Tempa has spearheaded various social activities and in his demise, the State has lost a veteran political leader and a great philanthropist. His death is a huge loss to the community to whom he belonged and served,” Pongte said.
Former Minister Karma Wangchu expired on October 20, 2022, at the age of 86. He is survived by his wife, three daughters and six sons. Born in 1936 at Seru village under Tawang circle, late Karma Wangchu was elected to the Legislative Assembly of Arunachal Pradesh from Tawang constituency for four successive terms in 1978, 1980, 1985 and 1990.
Besides being a Pro-Tem Speaker of Legislative Assembly, late Wangchu served as Minister for Health, Transport and Co-operation in the Tomo Riba Government.
“In his political career, he has never lost any election, which attached to his popularity among the common mass of his constituency,” Pongte said.
He worked for the preservation and promotion of cultural heritage in the border area of the state and provided free education along with residential facilities to more than 1250 children, mostly orphans, destitute and kids belonging to very poor family backgrounds in border villages like Mago, Thingbu and Zemithang, for which he was conferred Padma Shree award posthumously, this year.
A recipient of certificate and cash award for distinguished and meritorious service during the 1962 Indo-China war, late Wangchu started his career in Assam Border Police (NEFA Police) during 1959-60 before serving the Subsidiary Intelligence Bureau (SIB) as a Junior Intelligence Officer-II during 1960-76. Former Lumla MLA Jambey Tashi died on November 2 last at the age of 48 years.
He was holding the post of Advisor to Planning & Investment Minister. He is survived by his wife Tsering Lhamu, two daughters and a son.
He got elected as Anchal Samity Member in 2001. He was elected unopposed from the Lumla Assembly seat in 2009 on a Congress ticket and was appointed as State Medicinal Plants Board Chairman till 2011 and later became Parliamentary Secretary for Civil Aviation.
He was re-elected to the Legislative Assembly for the second term in 2014 and thereafter in the 2019 polls on a BJP ticket.
“A well known social activist, late Tashi was known for his keen engagement with working for the downtrodden and preservation of the state’s rich traditional cultural heritage. His untimely demise is a great loss for the State,” the Deputy Speaker said.
Senior members including Dy Chief Minister Chowna Mein, Ministers Mama Natung, Wangki Lowang, Honchun Ngandam and Tage Taki, Ninong Ering, Tapuk Taku, Phurpa Tsering, Tsering Tashi, among others also participated and paid homage to the former leaders.
Stating that the passing of three leaders of Tawang district within a month’s time was “a very sad moment for all of us”, late Tashi’s legislator wife Tsering Lhamu sought support from all Members of the House to accomplish all unfinished projects left by her husband.
Later, the House observed a two minutes silence as a mark of respect to the departed souls and resolved to send a copy of the condolence message to the bereaved families.
