SHILLONG, Feb 2: All five candidates contesting from the Mawlai constituency have supported the Mawlai Town Dorbar’s (MTD) proposal to hold a common platform, as discussed during a meeting on Saturday.
The candidates who attended the meeting included VPP’s Eddieson Kharumnuid, Congress candidate Wanseng Jyrwa, and independent candidates PT Sawkmie, Teibor Pathaw, and Seiborlang L Nonglait. However, BJP candidate Daneilla Nonglait was unable to attend due to the filing of her nomination.
Addressing members of the MTD, former MLA PT Sawkmie expressed his respect for the gentleman’s agreement reached regarding the organisation of the common platform. “I will honour my commitment since I support the concerns of the student community,” he said.
However, Sawkmie suggested that the common platform should be held during the daytime and conclude by 2 PM, as holding it in the evening might affect students preparing for their board examinations. He also requested that candidates be given prior notice about the dates so they could adjust their schedules accordingly.
Meanwhile, sitting MDC Teibor Pathaw also expressed his support for the MTD’s proposal. “I will abide by whatever decision the MTD takes. My only request is that all candidates be given equal time to speak,” he said.
Congress candidate Wanseng Jyrwa echoed a similar sentiment, stating that he had no objection to the MTD’s decision. However, he emphasized that the rule should apply to all candidates equally. “It would be unfair if any candidate is allowed to hold separate public meetings while others are restricted. There should be one clear decision,” Jyrwa said.
Independent candidate Seiborlang L Nonglait voiced his support for Mawlai setting an example by strictly adhering to the common platform rule and prohibiting separate public meetings. “As an independent candidate, this would also benefit me since I lack the financial resources to organize public meetings in different localities,” he explained. “With a common platform, all candidates will share the expenses, reducing individual campaign costs.”
VPP candidate Eddieson Kharumnuid also welcomed the proposal but stated that he might not be able to attend all the common platform events “I have to attend public meetings organized by my party in various parts of the constituency,” he said. “I hope the MTD will respect my decision.”
He also expressed difficulty in contributing to the expenses of the common platform, explaining that he had recently purchased a PA system for his own campaign meetings.
MTD president Herlambok War stated that candidates have until January 4 to confirm their participation. Until then, they may continue holding individual public meetings. However, from January 5 onwards, the MTD will begin organizing the common platform events.
