Shillong, Oct 25: NPP national general secretary and deputy chief minister Sniawbhalang Dhar has exuded confidence over the party’s victory in Gambegre bypoll, claiming the NPP’s Dr Mehtab Chandee A Sangma is well ahead of other candidates.
“As of today, the report is very positive from the ground. Our candidate is well ahead compared to other candidates,” Dhar told reporters on Friday. Appealing to the people of Gambegre to vote for the NPP candidate, Dr Mehtab, who is also wife of chief minister Conrad K Sangma, Dhar asserted that the party’s main focus would be
speed up development in the constituency.
The five other candidates in the fray are – TMC’s Sadhiarani M Sangma, wife of former minister Zenith Sangma; Congress’ Jingjang M Marak, a close aide of former Gambegre MLA and present Tura MP Saleng A Sangma; BJP state vice-president and Tura MDC Bernard N Marak and two independent candidates – Sengkrabirth Marak and Jerry A Sangma.
Bye-election to Gambegre seat, slated for November 13, was necessitated following election of Saleng Sangma to the Lok Sabha. Asserting that the BJP won’t hurt the NPP’s prospects, he said, “Every party has the right to set up a candidate. No harm.”
The NPP leader also ruled out TMC being a strong rival, saying, “I think TMC candidate is very much below our candidate as per ground report.” On the TMC’s allegation of NPP violating the model code of conduct, Dhar said, “Let the Election Commission look into the matter and take action.”
