NONGPOH: With two months away from the 2018 assembly polls, the decision of the United Democratic Party to allot party ticket to Mangkara Pathaw instead of FD Ramsiej to contest from Umroi has cost them dearly with several of its supporters withdrawing their allegiance to the party.
It may be mentioned that Ramsiej, a former Agriculture officer who resigned from his post to join UDP as its candidate had to take the backseat as Pathaw, the son of former chief minister, JD Rymbai was finally declared the party’s candidate.
As many as 65 primary units of the party including members of the Umroi circle which consist of the women’s wing and youth wing have decided to withdraw their support in a function held at the residence of Ramsiej at Bhoirymbong on Friday.
Ramsiej, working president, P.S Jana, joint secretary, Aiborlang Lawai, treasurer, Iarbok Marwein, education secretary, Kyrshanbor Rani, organising secretary UDP Youth Wing, Banrisha Nongrum, president women’s wing, Purity Thabah, general secretary women’s wing, R Syngkli, treasurer were among the few leaders to resign on Friday along with other primary and sub unit members.
Speaking to his supporters, Ramsiej confessed that the decision of the state UDP leaders to change their mind is because of the fact that he doesn’t have money while Pathaw comes from a rich family. ‘Is this how the UDP selects its candidate?’ Ramsiej asked.
Ramsiej also said that this is the reason why the UDP is not in power as their leaders were incompetent and biased with their decision. ‘They should have observed carefully taking into account the voice of people at the grass root level while considering party’s ticket,’ he said.
He also said the office of the UDP Umroi Circle at his residence will now be an office of the farmers where he will meet them once in a week to address their issues.
Other leaders also expressed their anger at the state UDP leaders for betraying them by alloting the ticket to a person they don’t know and who became a member of the party just a few weeks ago.
“If the state leaders consisting only 15 to 16 persons can decide the party’s ticket to whoever they favour without considering the voice of the supporters, let them also decide who will win, as we will never vote for this party in the coming election” one of the leaders said.
As a mark of withdrawing their support to the party, the supporters also destroyed the banner of the party sending a strong message to state UDP leaders.
Meanwhile, some the women supporters broke down while expressing their solidarity with Ramsiej.
Speaking to newsmen after the function, Ramsiej said that he will contest for the upcoming polls, but refused to divulge which party he will be joining, saying that he will announce it at the right time.
