Eying to increase tally in the state Assembly, the focus of the political parties in the state have now shifted to vacant Gambegre Assembly seat, elections to which will be held within six months that means within this year. The election to the Lok Sabha was held recently, and the Tura MP Saleng A Sangma vacated his Gambegre Assembly seat.
After the loss in the recent Lok Sabha polls, the ruling NPP wants to win that prestigious city. While a section within NPP supports the candidature of James PK Sangma, many are in favour of NPP President and Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma’s wife, Mehtab Chandee as the potential candidates for the bypoll.
A source within the NPP claimed that a minor rift within the party cannot be denied.
The constituency originally belonged to Tura MP Saleng A Sangma and was the only seat for the congress in Garo Hills. The Congress is likely to give a ticket to Jingjang M. Marak, a close aide of Saleng A Sangma.
Sources from the party have indicated that senior Congress leader and former deputy chief minister, Deborah Ch Marak is also eyeing Gambegre to make a comeback. As far as the Trinamool Congress is concerned Sadhiarani M Sangma, the wife of Zenith M Sangma will be contesting the bypoll.
BJP too will make once more attempts to get this prestigious seat. The party is likely to field its most prominent leader in Garo Hills, Bernard N Marak as its candidate from Gambegre.