Shillong , Dec 06: Leaders and workers of the newly floated People Democratic Front (PDF) in Mawlai constituency quit the party as a mark of protest against its decision to deny ticket to Teibor Pathaw in the upcoming 2018 Assembly election from Mawlai constituency.

The PDF Mawlai Zonal Committee, which was formed on October 19, was accordingly dissolved in the constituency at a meeting of the general executive committee convened in the city yesterday.

The Committee headed by Pathaw as the president also have a total of over 500 party members which include the office bearers, who all have tendered their resignations today.

This was after the PDF took a u-turn on its assurance by maintaining that the allotment of party tickets to aspirants will depend on the state election committee (SEC) in its reply to the a letter from the Committee.

The PDF Mawlai Zonal Committee had sought clarification on reports which have alleged that the party is going to issue to ticket to the wife of former MLA Founder Strong Cajee, who will also be contesting the upcoming poll from the constituency.

As a mark of ending the PDF in the constituency, Pathaw in presence of other leaders also folded the PDF flag for returning it to its state leaders.

Addressing media persons here on Wednesday, Pathaw accused the Congress suspended member PN Syiem, who was projected as the leader of the PDF, for betraying the trust of the people of Mawlai.

“He (Syiem) was the one who had given the assurance that the ticket will be allotted to me because I had maintained that I am not interested to fight for the same if I join the party. But now, he has betrayed the trust of my people,” he said.

Informing that he has decided to contest as an Independent candidate, Pathaw said that he is confident that this time, the people of Mawlai will surely ensure he wins in the upcoming election.

“I have every reason to hope that I will win by over 12,000 votes because in 2013 when I first contested MLA election, I had got 3,600 votes (I was placed in third place) and in 2014 MDC elections, over 7,000 people have voted for me,” he said.

Asked whether he would join the National People’s Party (NPP), he however said that he would prefer leave it to the wisdom of the people and his supporters.

Earlier, the general secretary of the PDF Mawlai LS Lyngdoh said that before joining the PDF, they have formed the Mawlai 2017 Social Service Organization (M17SSO) for working hard in garnering support for Pathaw as the candidate.

“However after joining the PDF it is unfortunate that there is no communication between the state leadership and the Committee in Mawlai,” he said while slamming the PDF for its double-standard attitude.