Tura, Oct 25: NPP candidate Mehtab Chandee A Sangma has lamented that despite Gambegre having become a legislative seat close to three decades ago, people across several villages in the constituency have still not received the basic amenities for life, including proper health care and road facilities.
She told media persons waiting outside the returning officer’s office for her nomination about the situation in Gambegre.
“A lot of issues urgently need to be tackled in Gambegre. As a doctor my priority will be to ensure people have the necessary healthcare facilities and proper roads are constructed because patients endure severe trauma going on bad roads,” said the Chief Minister’s wife when asked about her priorities if elected from Gambegre.
Having been on a tour of Gambegre for the last couple of months, Mehtab Chandee pointed out to the basic absence of facilities across villages.
“There are villages still without electricity and water. Social sector and infrastructure urgently need to be seriously looked into. I have toured the length and breadth of Gambegre and seen essential facilities missing from peoples’ lives,” mentions Mehtab Chandee A Sangma.
She refused to be drawn into a comparison with her opponents and their claims of “impending” victory.
“I don’t believe in prophesying about victory or defeat. Every election is a contest marked by hard work. All I can say is that I will give my best effort knowing that so many people of Gambegre have reposed their faith in me,” said Mehtab Chandee.
In a rare break from the usual campaign attacks perpetrated by political opponents, Mehtab Chandee A Sangma refused to vilify her opponents and candidates, going as far as to say, “ Every candidate is giving his or her best in a contest.”
She also had a good word for former MLA Saleng A Sangma of the Congress who has fielded his close friend against her. “In the last couple of elections in Gambegre, no one can deny the presence of Saleng Sangma. He won many terms. Right now many Congress and an Trinamool supporters and workers are joining us and the fight is between us and the TMC. But we cannot deny Saleng Sangma’s support base, either,” said the chief minister’s wife.
‘Every election is important, cannot take for granted’
Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma said that no one ought to take any election for granted.
“All opponents are challengers. We cannot take anything for granted,” said the chief minister who accompanied his wife to the filing of nomination papers in Tura on Thursday.
He said that there is a positive response to the candidature of his wife and the party in Gambegre.
“Gambegre constituency requires a lot of attention and I am hopeful people will make the right choice of being with the ruling. Obviously there are benefits to that because of direct contact between the MLA and the government. That always helps,” said the chief minister.
