By Our Reporter
SHILLONG, Jan 4: The National People’s Party (NPP) has suffered a significant setback ahead of the polls to the Khasi Hills Autonomous District Council (KHADC) after its sitting MDC from Mawlai constituency, Teibor Pathaw, decided to contest as an independent candidate.
Pathaw announced his decision during a meeting convened by the Mawlai Social Service Organisation (MSSO) at Mawlai Nonglum on Saturday.
According to reports, several party leaders had questioned NPP State President Prestone Tynsong about why Pathaw’s name, despite being the sitting MDC, was absent from the party’s first list of candidates. In response, Tynsong assured that Pathaw’s name would feature in the second list.
Pathaw, who is known to be a close associate of Tynsong, has now taken a decision that could be seen as a personal setback for the NPP State President.
It may be recalled that Pathaw had earlier expressed reservations about contesting the upcoming elections. Having contested the MLA elections three times unsuccessfully, he is reportedly disheartened by his inability to secure a win. Despite being elected as an MDC in 2019, Pathaw’s aspirations of representing Mawlai in the 2023 Assembly polls were dashed when voters gave a landslide victory to sitting VPP MLA Brightstarwell Marngniang.
During the MSSO meeting, the majority of Pathaw’s supporters urged him to reconsider his earlier decision not to contest the election. They also expressed unanimous support for him to contest as an independent candidate, emphasizing their desire for him to leave the NPP.
Addressing the gathering, Pathaw said he would respect the voice of the people and contest as an independent candidate.
“The voice of the people is above party affiliation. I have decided to contest the election as an independent candidate, in line with the wish of the people of the constituency,” the sitting Mawlai MDC declared.
Besides Pathaw, four other candidates are expected to contest from Mawlai. These include former MLA P.T. Sawkmie and TULBA President Seiborlang L. Nonglait, both likely to run as independents. Meanwhile, the VPP has fielded Eddieson Kharumnuid, and the Congress has awarded its ticket to Wanseng Jyrwa.
NPP’s second list of candidates by Jan 10
The NPP plans to release the second list of candidates contesting the upcoming elections to the KHADC and JHADC by January 10.
NPP State Working President Hamletson Dohling informed that the party is considering fielding candidates in a few select constituencies.
According to Dohling, the decision to contest fewer seats stems from dissatisfaction with recommendations received from party blocks. “We would not like to put up candidates just for the sake of it,” he said.
He further revealed that there is pressure to field candidates in two to three constituencies currently represented by sitting MLAs. “We are yet to decide, as discussions are still ongoing at the block level,” Dohling added.
So far, the NPP has announced 18 candidates for the KHADC elections and 26 for the JHADC elections. The second list is expected to include additional constituencies where the party has strong grassroots support and potential candidates.