EXCLUSIVE
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The Meghalaya Congress is nearly finalizing its decision to field Jingjang M Marak as its candidate for the upcoming Gambegre by-election.
Saleng A Sangma, the Member of Parliament from the Tura Lok Sabha constituency, confirmed that Marak is the only aspirant who has submitted an application for the Gambegre seat, and the District Congress Committee (DCC) has already forwarded his name.
“There is only one individual who has already put up his application for the Congress ticket Jingjang M Marak, so there is none right now, only him,” Saleng Sangma said.
Sangma emphasized that there is no competition in the election for this seat, despite the presence of political heavyweights in the race, as it is ultimately up to the people to decide.
When asked if the selection was unanimous and whether the youth Congress and party workers were satisfied, Sangma responded that the DCC had already sent Marak’s name to the Meghalaya Pradesh Congress Committee (MPCC), indicating their support.
Asked if it is unanimous decision, the Tura MP said, “It is them who sent him to the MPCC, from District Congress Committee (DCC) has forwarded his name already.”
Regarding the National People’s Party (NPP) fielding Mehtab Chandee A. Sangma, the wife of the state’s Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma, as their candidate, Saleng Sangma remarked that a Chief Minister’s wife is always duty-bound to support her spouse, regardless of whether she holds a political position. He stated that while it is acceptable for the NPP to field her, he doesn’t see any significant competition, as the final decision rests with the voters.
“Chief Minister’s wife is always a chief Minister’s wife whether she is MLA or not MLA, so she is always duty bound to help the chief minister in every way, so she need not be an MLA, if she wants to help the people of Meghalaya, she can be a good tool for the Chief Minister to help the people of the state, not necessary she should contest but its ok if they want to take everything in their arm. I don’t see any competition anyways, it’s the people who will vote,” he added.
Meanwhile, the Trinamool Congress (TMC) has chosen Sadiarani M Sangma, the wife of Zenith Sangma and the lone female Member of the District Council (MDC) from the Garo Hills Autonomous District Council (GHADC), as their candidate for the Gambegre by-election. The BJP has not yet announced its candidate, but sources suggest that BJP state Vice President Bernard Marak might contest.
The Gambegre Assembly seat became vacant after the sitting Congress legislator, Saleng A. Sangma, won the Tura MP seat in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections. This by-election is crucial for all political parties involved, as it could shape the political landscape of the state.