Meghalaya budget session faces postponement after Shillong MP's sudden death

The Meghalaya assembly session scheduled for today, February 20, including the state budget presentation, may be adjourned as a tribute to Shillong MP Ricky A J Syngkon, who died suddenly on Thursday evening.

Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma announced the likely suspension after discussions with Deputy Chief Minister Prestone Tynsong, who handles parliamentary affairs. A meeting of the Business Advisory Committee, chaired by the assembly speaker, is set for tomorrow to finalise the decision.

Syngkon collapsed while playing futsal on the outskirts of Shillong. Doctors at a private hospital declared him dead at around 8:45 pm.

"We have discussed with Deputy Chief Minister and in-charge of Parliamentary Affairs, Prestone Tynsong," Sangma said. He added that postponing proceedings, even the budget presentation, would be "a mark of respect to the departed soul".

Sangma, visibly shocked, recalled meeting Syngkon two weeks ago in Delhi to discuss Meghalaya's development plans. "I had met Syngkon about two weeks back in Delhi... that was the last meeting and conversation I had with him," he said.

The chief minister hailed Syngkon's dedication to the people of Khasi and Jaintia Hills, calling his death a "great loss for the state". "Syngkon served the people with humility, vision and a sincere desire to uplift society," Sangma said. He extended "deepest condolences to the family of late Ricky Syngkon" and prayed for strength to his supporters and party leaders.