The Gambegre constituency in Garo Hills, Meghalaya, is preparing for a fiercely contested by-election on November 13, as key political figures and a diverse lineup of candidates vie for victory. The stakes are particularly high for Chief Minister Conrad Sangma and former Chief Minister Mukul Sangma, whose families are at the forefront of the battle. Six candidates in total are competing in this prestigious electoral showdown.
Representing the National People’s Party (NPP) is Mehtab Chandee, the wife of CM Conrad Sangma, who faces a formidable opponent in Sadhiarani M. Sangma of the Trinamool Congress (TMC). Sadhiarani, the wife of former MLA Zenith Sangma and sister-in-law of Mukul Sangma, adds a layer of familial and political intensity to the contest.
At 39, Mehtab Chandee is the wealthiest candidate, declaring assets exceeding Rs. 18 crore. A qualified medical professional, she graduated with an MBBS from the Regional Institute of Medical Sciences (RIMS), Imphal. Her rival, Sadhiarani M. Sangma, at 52, is the oldest candidate and the second wealthiest, with assets totaling over Rs. 1.2 crore. An elected member of the Garo Hills Autonomous District Council (GHADC), she holds an MA from North-Eastern Hill University (NEHU) and has no criminal record.
Adding to the mix is BJP’s Bernard Marak, 49, who serves as Vice President of Meghalaya BJP and is a member of the Tura District Council. Known for his contentious political journey, Marak has five pending criminal cases, including a POCSO case, and has declared assets of Rs. 11.5 lakh. He is a graduate of Don Bosco College, Tura.
The Congress is represented by Jingjang M. Marak, also 49, with declared movable assets of Rs. 57.8 lakh. Jingjang holds an MA from NEHU and has a clean criminal record. Among the two independents, 26-year-old Sengkrabirth M. Marak stands out as the youngest and least wealthy candidate, with just Rs. 20,000 in cash. Holding a master’s degree in Garo from ICFAI University, he presents a fresh face in the political arena. The second independent, Jerry A. Sangma, aged 31, declared Rs. 10.4 lakh in assets and is a graduate of Nongrum College, Zekabari.
The Gambegre constituency has an electorate of 32,254, which includes 16,331 male voters, 15,923 female voters, 3 service voters, 64 senior citizens, and 100 persons with disabilities (PwDs). As per the State Election Department, 31 of the 51 polling stations have been classified as critical, though none have been designated as vulnerable.
This election transcends traditional political rivalry, highlighting socio-economic diversity, educational backgrounds, and personal journeys that each candidate brings to the table. The results of this high-stakes by-election will be declared on November 23, potentially reshaping political dynamics in Meghalaya.