Shillong, Aug 23: The North Eastern Council (NEC) on Wednesday condoled the demise of former Manipur Chief Minister and former MP Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha, Rishang Keishing.

Keishing passed away at the Regional Institute of Medical Sciences (RIMS), Imphal, on Tuesday evening. He was 96.
Born on October 25, 1920, Keishing was from Bungpa village, Ukhrul district in Manipur.
An oldest Parliamentarian in the country, Keishing was a member of the first Lok Sabha in 1952-57, as well as member of the third Lok Sabha from 1962-67.

In April 2002, Keishing was elected to the Rajya Sabha from Manipur, and got re-elected for the second term in April 2008. He retired from politics on February 21, 2014 at the age of 94.
Keishing also known as the grand old man of Manipur, served as Chief Minister of Manipur four times from 1980 to 1988 and from 1994 to 1997.
“The NEC is deeply saddened to hear about the sad demise of Keishing. Late Keishing was the Chief Minister of Manipur from 1980-1988 and from 1994-1997 during which, he was a member of the NEC,” NEC secretary Ram Muivah said in a condolence message issued here on Wednesday.
Describing Keishing as one of the tallest leaders of North East India, Muivah said, “He (Keishing) was also the last surviving member of India’s first post-1947 Parliament and the oldest serving Parliamentarian in the world.”
“The North Eastern Council family conveys the deepest condolences to the bereaved members of the family,” the message said.