The Trinamool Congress has lodged a complaint with the Election Commission against the NPP for allegedly violating the model code of conduct ahead of the Assembly by-election in Gambegre constituency scheduled on November 13.
In the complaint lodged to the Returning Officer of West Garo Hills today, Trinamool Congress district coordinator S N Sangma alleged that the NPP distributed CGI sheets to villagers in an attempt to influence voters, despite the Election Commission of India’s announcement of the polling date.
“Despite the Election Commission of India having announced the date of polling, the NPP continues with these activities. Today they were distributing materials in Aminda Simsang village (Polling Station No. 2) even though the model code of conduct is in effect. This blatant disregard of the rules undermines the spirit of conducting a free and fair election,” Sangma said in his complaint.
He also said that the NPP has stock piled large quantities of CGI sheets near almost every polling station with distribution to voters continuing unabated.
Stating that this alleged misuse of government resources “is not only unethical but also constitutes bribery”, Sangma requested the immediate intervention of the Returning Officer to stop these activities and “ensure that the election is conducted in a fair and impartial manner”.
The much awaited Assembly by-election in Gambegre constituency will be held on November 13 and the votes will be counted on November 23.
Chief Electoral Officer, B D R Tiwari yesterday informed that the model code of conduct has come into force in the entire West Garo Hills from the day of announcement of the election date.
Gambegre seat fell vacant after the resignation of sitting Congress MLA Saleng A. Sangma on June 10 following his election as Lok Sabha MP from the Tura parliamentary seat.
The notification for the election will be issued on October 18 following which candidates can start filling their nomination. The last date for filling the nomination is October 25. The scrutiny of nominations will be held on October 28 and the last date of withdrawal of candidature is October 30.
It may be mentioned that three political parties have so far announced their candidates for the Gambegre by-poll.
While the ruling NPP has nominated Chief Minister Conrad Sangma’s wife Mehtab Chandee Sangma, the opposition Congress has proposed the name of Jingjang M. Marak as the candidate.
However, the candidature of Marak will be formally announced by the Congress high command. State Congress president Vincent Pala today left for New Delhi to meet the central leadership of the party on the candidate for the Gambegre by-poll.
Another opposition party, the Trinamool Congress has decided to field Sadhiarani M. Sangma for the contest.
Sadhiarani is the wife of former minister Zenith M. Sangma. She is also a sitting MDC from Dengnakpara constituency.
Sadhiarani had contested from the Gambegre seat twice in the past. In the 2023 Assembly election, she lost to Saleng Sangma by a margin of 2,871 votes.
Meanwhile, the BJP is likely to announce its candidate soon. Party vice president and Tura MDC, Bernard N. Marak, had expressed his keenness to contest the Gambegre by-poll.
