Shillong, Oct. 29: Meghalaya today bid an emotional farewell to one of its political titans, Brington Buhai Lyngdoh, with full state honours.

Nostalgia-laden speeches, gospel songs and tributes marked the funeral, attended by a veritable who’s who of the state’s political fraternity.

Before the ceremony, Lyngdoh’s body lay in state inside a special wood-carved coffin overflowing with wreaths, carnations and roses at his New Colony home.

Chief minister D.D. Lapang and his cabinet colleagues, religious heads, family members, friends and representatives of Lyngdoh’s constituency, Lyngkyrdem, stood in silence as speakers showered encomiums on the late leader.

Long-time associate B.G. Momin described Lyngdoh, who passed away on Monday, as “a friend, mentor and guide who was all for good governance”.

In a condolence message routed through AICC leader Ved Prakash, Congress president Sonia Gandhi said the four-time chief minister was “one of the most distinguished and respected political leaders and had brought Meghalaya to the national mainstream”.

President A.P.J Kalam, too, sent his “heartfelt condolences” to Lyngdoh’s family. The late leader’s daughter, Sarpailyn Khonglah, formally accepted the messages. Rev. P.B. Lyngdoh and Rev. Rynjah of the All Saints’ Cathedral conducted the funeral service. Members of the Shillong Chamber of Music, too, rendered a couple of hymns under the baton of Niel Nongkynrih.

The cortege then moved to the Garrison Ground, where Governor M.M. Jacob, Lapang and his colleagues laid wreaths.

The governor said he knew Lyngdoh “personally” and described him as “a people’s person who cared for the have-nots and the poor”.

In an equally evocative speech, Lapang said Lyngdoh was a man of “great vision, determination, integrity and foresight, one who stood like a solid rock against all adversities”.

State Congress president S.C. Marak said Lyngdoh was “an upright statesman, noble son of the soil and principal architect of Meghalaya”.