The People’s Democratic Front (PDF) will probably have to look for new candidates in Mylliem and Umsning as the sitting MLAs, Hamletson Dohling and Jason S Mawlong respectively, who are two of the party’s four legislators, continue to ignore their own outfit even as the state elections get ever closer.
Although strong rumours have abounded for some time now that the pair are looking to run in 2023 from different parties, they have yet to give any formal notice of their intentions to the PDF, party general secretary Auspicious Lyngdoh Mawphlang told Highland Post today.
The duo continue to skip important PDF meetings, such as its general conference and central executive committee meeting, creating a sense of doubt as to their loyalty.
“They are still PDF members as nothing official has been communicated by them and we cannot say what they intend to do,” Mawphlang said.
Nonetheless, the party’s central election committee will meet again in the coming week and will declare candidates by November.
“We already have replacements lined up to replace Dohling and Mawlong if they no longer have a desire to contest from the party,” Mawphlang said, adding that the party’s other two MLAs – Banteidor Lyngdoh from Mawkynrew and Gavin Mylliem from Sohra – are certain to stick with the PDF.
Meanwhile, the party is expecting to field candidates in at least 15 seats and is even considering an entry into Garo Hills.
