Shillong, Aug 12: The NPP candidate for Gambegre, Mehtab Chandee is facing anti-incumbency burden as she is entering active politics.
Congress MP Saleng Sangma is also experiencing a similar dilemma, as his critics have pointed out lack of development of the constituency even after he represented it for four consecutive terms.
Mehtab’s husband and Chief Minister Conrad Sangma announced her candidature on Sunday at a public meeting in Gambegre.
After a humiliating defeat iin the just concluded Lok Sabha polls, the NPP is yet to revamp its organisational structure .
When asked the chief minister whether there will be a shift in the governance pattern soon after the defeat of Agatha, he had replied in the negative.
The people of Garo Hills are yet to witness any change of party organisational posts or cabinet reshuffle which could convince the voters that he means business as far as governance is concerned.
The over-dependence of the CM, who is an MBA, on certain bureaucrats who run the government iin a corporate style, is a bane for him and the party.
Saleng had defeated NPP LS candidate Agatha Sangma by a margin of over 1.56 lakh votes.
The chief minister had said fielding Mehtab is as per the wish of the people who will get direct access to CM’s office thanks to his wife if elected.
Mehtab currently manages the fund of the party being its national treasurer.
Sources said if the ruling NPP can manage its official machinery and resources , this may cause a win for the party candidate .
However, the people of Garo Hills had rejected money and muscle power in the Lok Sabha polls thereby ensuring the win of Saleng.
IMoreover,, it remains to be seen, how the people of Garo Hills especially Gambegre will view ‘dynasty’ politics as Mehtab is the CM’s wife.
According to sources from Garo Hills, the wave for Saleng still persists which according to the supporters of the Congress will be favourable to the Congress candidate whose name is yet to be officially announced though the name of Jingjang M Marak is doing the rounds.
