Meghalaya CM on NPP's Gambegre bypoll win: "Grateful to the people for their trust and support"

Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad Sangma expressed gratitude and satisfaction over the bypoll results in the Gambegre Assembly constituency, calling the outcome a testament to the people’s commitment to development. "The results align with our expectations. We are deeply grateful to the people of Gambegre for their support and trust," he stated.  

Dr. Mehtab Chandee A. Sangma, wife of CM Conrad Sangma, scripted history by clinching the Gambegre seat with a significant margin of 4,594 votes. Her victory shattered Congress' stronghold in the constituency, which had been a bastion for over a decade.  

This win marks a milestone for the National People's Party (NPP), which had previously struggled in Gambegre. In the 2023 Assembly elections, the NPP failed to secure even the runner-up position, with Congress and the All India Trinamool Congress (AITC) dominating the field. Congress heavyweight Saleng A. Sangma had held the seat for three consecutive terms since its formation in 2013, and earlier from the now-merged Dalamgiri constituency. Saleng vacated the seat after his victory in the Tura Lok Sabha elections earlier this year.  

Dr. Mehtab Chandee's triumph is particularly remarkable as it marks her debut in electoral politics. She successfully defeated seasoned contenders like Sadhiarani M. Sangma of AITC, who has contested the seat twice before and is currently a Member of District Council (MDC) in the Garo Hills Autonomous District Council (GHADC). Sadhiarani is also the wife of former state minister Zenith Sangma and the sister-in-law of Mukul M. Sangma, Leader of Opposition and former Chief Minister of Meghalaya.  

BJP's Bernard N. Marak, another MDC and a prominent political figure, was also in the fray. Despite his efforts, he could not replicate his second-place finish from the 2023 Assembly elections in South Tura, where he contested against Conrad Sangma.  

Jingjang M. Marak of Congress, a close aide of Saleng A. Sangma, finished third in the bypolls. Despite Congress' historical dominance in Gambegre, the party failed to regain its foothold.