The nomination papers of all six candidates contesting the upcoming Assembly by-election in Gambegre constituency will be scrutinised tomorrow by the returning officer at Tura.
Chief Minister Conrad Sangma’s wife Mehtab Chandee Sangma (NPP), Jingjang M. Marak (Congress), Sadhiarani M. Sangma (Trinamool Congress), Bernard N. Marak (BJP) and two independent candidates – Sengkrabirth Marak and Jerry A. Sangma have filed their nominations for the by-poll.
The date for withdrawal of nominations is October 30. The election will be held on November 13 and results will be declared on November 23.
The by-election for Gambegre constituency was necessitated after former MLA Saleng A. Sangma representing this constituency was elected to the Lok Sabha.
The by-election is crucial for the Congress since the seat belonged to the party till it was vacated by Saleng.
Losing Gambegre will further reduce the Congress’ strength in the State Assembly.
Congress which earlier had five MLAs, now has only one member as Saleng was elected to the Lok Sabha and three others – Celestine Lyngdoh, Charles Marngar and Gabriel Wahlang – left the party and joined the ruling NPP.
For the NPP too, the electoral battle in Gambegre is a prestige issue since it involved the wife of the chief minister who is also the national president of the party.
Conrad Sangma had campaigned hard for his wife amid allegations by the Trinamool Congress that the NPP is using all unfair means to woo the voters.
Gambegre constituency has a total of 32,254 voters including 16,331 males and 15,923 females. Of the 51 polling stations, 31 are identified as critical polling stations.
