In a significant blow to the ruling National People’s Party (NPP) in Shillong, Teibor Pathaw, the sitting Member of District Council (MDC) from Mawlai constituency, resigned from both the party and his position as Executive Member of the Khasi Hills Autonomous District Council (KHADC). Pathaw submitted his resignation letter to Chief Executive Member Pynïaid Sing Syiem on Monday.
The decision follows a recent public meeting held in Mawlai, where residents urged Pathaw to leave the NPP and contest the upcoming MDC elections as an independent candidate. Bowing to the collective will of his supporters, Pathaw announced his decision to honor their wishes and run as an independent.
“On Saturday, my supporters and the people of Mawlai constituency held a meeting where they urged me to leave the NPP and contest as an independent candidate in the District Council elections. Today, I met the CEM to submit my resignation as an Executive Member of KHADC and to withdraw my support from the Executive Committee. That is what I have done,” Pathaw stated.
Additionally, Pathaw disclosed that he has officially resigned from his roles as President of the Shillong City Unit of NPP and Media In-charge of the party. “I have sent a letter to the President of the NPP Meghalaya Unit, Prestone Tynsong, informing him of my resignation,” he confirmed.
When asked why he decided to leave the NPP, Pathaw emphasized, “As of now, I can say that the voice of the people is above all. My decision is based on the wishes of my supporters and the people of Mawlai, who want me to contest as an independent candidate.”
Pathaw refrained from commenting on whether his resignation reflects any disenchantment among the people of Mawlai with the NPP.
It is worth noting that despite being elected as an MDC in 2019, Pathaw’s hopes of representing Mawlai in the 2023 Assembly elections were thwarted when voters handed a resounding victory to the sitting VPP MLA, Brightstarwell Marngniang.