Focus on Gambegre by-polls in Meghalaya: names of 3 women emerge as candidates

It was a big loss for the NPP in Garo Hills this Lok Sabha elections, as the party had to face setback in the Tura, traditionally a bastion of the PA Sangma family since 1991. In terms of parliamentary elections, the voters in Garo Hills have elected PA Sangma, his son Conrad Sangma and daughter Agatha Sangma consecutively from 1991 till 2019.
Until the last election the seat was represented by Agatha Sangma, daughter of political stalwart PA Sangma and sister of Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad Sangma. But in this election, Congress sprang a surprise as Gambegre MLA Saleng A Sangma managed to win the seat by a margin of 1,55,241 defeating Agatha Sangma.
However, the NPP is making all out efforts to ensure that the party wins the by-elections from the Gambegre assembly constituency. To discuss the further course of action the NPP on Saturday night held a key party strategic meeting at the residence of NPP chief and Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad Sangma.
But there is no official statement regarding what transpired in the meeting.
In fact major political parties have already shifted their focus on the Gambegre by-elections. The by-elections are held within 6 months of a seat falling vacant.
Meanwhile, Gambegre by-poll is set to be another high profile candidates as names of 3 women have emerged as frontrunners in the race.
While a section within NPP supports the candidature of James PK Sangma, many are in favour of NPP President and Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma’s wife, Mehtab Chandee as the potential candidates for the by-poll.
The Congress is likely to give a ticket to Jingjang M. Marak, a close aide of Saleng A Sangma.
Sources from the party have indicated that senior Congress leader and former deputy chief minister, Deborah Ch Marak is also eyeing Gambegre to make a comeback. As far as the Trinamool Congress is concerned Sadhiarani M Sangma, the wife of Zenith M Sangma will be contesting the by-poll.
If sources are to be believed, BJP too will be fielding a candidate in Gambegre. The party is likely to field its most prominent leader in Garo Hills, Bernard N Marak as its candidate from Gambegre.
The Gambegre constituency was represented by Saleng A Sangma as an MLA. However, after his election as an MP, the by-poll has been necessitated. It was the only seat for the Congress in Garo Hills.