Alexander Laloo Hek, a senior figure in the state Bharatiya Janata Party and its only state cabinet minister, today told reporters that the BJP will definitely field a candidate at the upcoming Gambegre by-election.
The name of the candidate has not been confirmed but Tura MDC Bernard N Marak is a strong contender.
The BJP contesting would put it at odds with its behaviour in the Lok Sabha election earlier this year when the saffron outfit declined to run candidates in the two Meghalaya seats, instead preferring to back ally the National People’s Party (NPP), which ultimately lost both.
The NPP has named Mehtab Chandee, the wife of Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma, as its choice of candidate.
Hek told reporters that the party recently held a meeting in Tura where its supporters decided to contest the by-election with confidence. Hek stated that the BJP will put forward a strong contender.
When asked about who that might be, he kept any cards he had close to his chest, merely stating that the party will carefully examine and assess all options before selecting the best candidate to meet its electoral goals.
The by-election in Gambegre has been triggered following the resignation of former MLA Saleng A Sangma, who vacated the seat after winning the Tura Lok Sabha election.
