CONSTITUENCY WATCH
Shillong, Feb 17: The prestigious Mawlai constituency is set to witness a triangular contest among MDC Teibor Pathaw, former MLA Process T Sawkmie and VPP’s Eddieson Kharumnuid in the Khasi Hills Autonomous District Council (KHADC) election.
Pathaw and Sawkmie are contesting as independent candidates.
The others in the fray are BJP’s Daniella Lyngdoh Nonglait, Congress’ Wanseng Jyrwa and independent candidate Seiborlang L Nonglait.
Except for the VPP candidate, the others are taking part in common platforms organised by the Dorbar Shnongs which are parts of the Mawlai Town Dorbar (MTD).
Interestingly, the common platforms have failed to draw any crowd.
The VPP decided to abstain from the common platforms, thus ignoring the MTD’s call. The party candidate is relying on public meetings organised in various parts of the constituency.
A section of the voters feels the VPP’s decision not to cooperate with the MTD is a non-issue. According to them, a candidate is free to decide whether or not to take part in the common platforms.
The VPP is hoping to repeat its last Lok Sabha election performance.
Out of the 38,428 votes cast in Mawlai constituency during the Lok Sabha polls, the VPP polled 30,013 votes.
Pathaw had earlier resigned from the NPP but there is a perception among a section of the electorate that he is still a part and parcel of the NPP. The NPP’s decision to not contest from the constituency contributed to this perception.
There is an anti-NPP wave in the constituency but Pathaw seems to have an edge for bringing development here.
Compared to local MLA Brightstarwell Marbaniang of the VPP, Pathaw managed to address many problems of the constituency as he had the “blessings” of the NPP leadership.
This made VPP chief Ardent Miller Basaiawmoit to accuse the MDC of forcefully acting as an MLA.
Pathaw provided jobs to many and this is one of his plus points as he goes to polls. He is trying to warm up to the voters by telling them how the present NPP-led Executive Committee in the KHADC has managed to come up with legislations to empower the traditional institutions, Seng Longkmie and Seng Samla.
In contrast, Sawkmie will bank on the silent voters. The former MLA is trying to individually appeal to people to vote for him.
He has promised that if elected, he will give his MDC salaries to the people of the constituency. Further, he assured that he will raise the issue of amending the council’s building bye-laws.
Mawlai, the largest constituency in the KHADC, has 49,778 voters – 26,956 females and 22,822 males.