Meghalaya Chief Minister and NPP national president Conrad Sangma today clearly stated that there is no division either in his family or the party over the candidature for the Assembly by-election from Gambegre constituency.
He was reacting to media reports that Sangma’s wife, Mehtab Chandee is among the top contenders for the ticket to upcoming Gambegre by-poll. The reports also said that the chief minister’s elder brother James Sangma was unhappy with moves by the party to allot theparty ticket to Mehtab Chandee.
“There is no question of division within the family or the party over the ticket,” Sangma told media persons here.
Sangma informed that a few days back the NPP had met and in the meeting all the names of party leaders who wanted to contest and whose names are doing the rounds were discussed.
“Whose ever names are doing the rounds we have consulted everybody and everyone has confirmed that they are with the party and whatever decision the party takes that will be the final decision and they will abide by it,” Sangma said.
He said that now the process of giving the ground report from the block level and the district level and regional level is underway and once the process is complete then the State election committee will recommend the name of the candidate for the Gambegre by-poll.
According to Sangma, there are about seven to eight individuals whose names are doing the rounds.
It may be mentioned that the NPP on June 27 had shortlisted four names, among which one will be finalised as the party’s candidate for the Gambegre by-poll. The name of the final contender is likely to be revealed shortly.
The Gambegre Assembly seat fell vacant after the resignation of sitting MLA Saleng A. Sangma following his election to the Lok Sabha from Tura parliamentary seat. The Election Commission is yet to announce the date for the by-election.
