From Biplab Kr Dey
TURA, Nov 14: Voting for the bypoll for the Gambegre seat, which saw six contestants trying to win over voters for a chance to represent them, got over on Wednesday with 90.84% of voters exercising their franchise. The turnout is very similar to the one in 2023 when Saleng Sangma, now Tura MP, won with a comfortable margin against TMC’s Sadhiarani Sangma.
With Saleng having to relinquish the seat following his victory in the MP election, the doors for another contest for the seat were opened and what a contest it has been so far. Let’s take a look at how campaigning took place in the constituency in the run up to polls that concluded yesterday:
National People’s Party
Already in the driver’s seat by virtue of being the main part of the state government, NPP this time eschewed any flamboyant campaigns to the seat. The campaign was led by Chief Minister Conrad Sangma along with most MLAs of the party doing their bit in trying to convince the voters to choose their candidate, Mehtab Chandee Sangma.
While there were no flashy campaigns, the party concentrated on reaching out to voters in their homes and villages. Pocket campaigns were the order of the day with the CM leading the way. NPP party MLAs and MDCs too took up the same strategy and tried to reach the last voter.
Following their efforts, the party appeared confident on the fact that they could break through the Saleng bastion and ensure they add another MLA to their ranks.
The NPP has not had much luck in Gambegre, coming in a lowly 3rd in two previous elections. This time though they feel things could change.
Implications of win/loss: In terms of the present situation, a win in Gambegre will not have an impact with the government well cushioned. However a loss could offset a lot of plans that the party has for future elections to come and get tongues wagging.
Trinamool Congress
The two-time runner up to the seat, Sadhiarani Sangma, who is also the only contestant amongst the big four to have a vote in the constituency, is confident of the mandate going her way.
The TMC MDC, who is locally well known and respected, was backed by former chief minister and current opposition leader, Dr Mukul Sangma, who campaigned widely in an effort to make the seat their own.
The TMC candidate is locally well known as she is also the MDC of Dengnakpara, some of which falls under the Gambegre constituency. This is one advantage she has had and if the two previous elections are any indicator, she will definitely not be a pushover.
The TMC campaign saw a few star campaigners come to speak at various occasions with the bulk of the work being done by MLAs and MDCs aligned with the TMC as well as the candidate herself with daily campaigns that stretched well into the night.
The party itself appeared confident that its candidate was best placed to win and provide another MLA to its numbers — five as of now.
Implications of win/loss: For the TMC, which is still trying to find its feet following the drubbing it was handed in the last election in 2023, a win in Gambegre may just give the entire party the fillip it requires in the coming days. With the MDC elections not very far away, a loss in Gambegre could mean the TMC and its leader Mukul Sangma going back to the drawing board for in their search for answers.
Indian NatL Congress
Fresh from the victory in the recently concluded parliamentary elections, a resurgent Congress and Saleng Sangma have been riding high. It was his resignation that even allowed for the bypoll to even take place. With Gambegre being Saleng’s bastion for over a decade, the Congress was the party to beat before the announcement of polls.
Jingjang Sangma, the Congress candidate for the seat, was an unknown quantity to the people of the constituency when his name was announced. This was something that Saleng wanted to offset in the first place. While he has now become a known face across Gambegre, the gamble to pit him against three well known faces is an answer that everyone is looking to find out when results are declared.
The Congress had the most high profile of campaigns with various star campaigners, including MPCC president and former MP, Vincent Pale and other INC MPs coming to campaign for Jingjang.
Congress party workers felt that it was the Saleng effect that will see them sail through as he literally knows everyone from the constituency.
Implications of win/loss: There is no doubt in anyone’s mind over the fact that the Congress is in a state of resurgence and this will likely continue whether the INC wins or loses. However a win will fuel the party and its aspirants as it seeks to make a mark in the coming days. A loss however could just bring down the invincible aura that has surrounded the Tura MP in Gambegre.
Bharatiya Janata Party
The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has had an extremely difficult time in making inroads into the state of Meghalaya, especially in Garo Hills. Its best bet was the Tura MDC, Bernard Marak, who is the most known BJP face across Garo Hills for the party.
Bernard, who campaigned through the entire constituency along with party workers, felt confident that the BJP could make a dent. However from the looks of things, the party is unlikely to make a huge dent, especially in a seat that is almost exclusively tribal and Christian.
The party, however, is definitely going to increase its vote count from the paltry 351 votes it received in 2023 just because Bernard has been fielded.
Implications of win/loss: The BJP has been working extremely hard to make its presence felt in Garo Hills and despite a win or loss, the party’s efforts are likely to continue. It has increased its vote share in almost all seats in Garo Hills between 2018 and 2023 and this effort of the saffron party is likely to continue. The results are unlikely to change the party’s strategy where its coalition partner, NPP holds sway.
Independents
The Gambegre seat saw two Independent candidates, viz. Sengkrabirth Marak and Jerry Sangma also contest. While no one is really betting on them winning the seat, the major worries for all parties in the fray will be the number of votes they receive and whose votes they cut into.