Left takes Tripura, Cong single largest in M’laya

The Left captured power for the fourth time in Tripura while Cong emerged as the single largest party in Meghalaya.

The ruling Left Front on Friday stormed back to power for the fourth consecutive term in Tripura while the election to the 60-member Meghalaya assembly threw up a hung house with the ruling Congress emerging as the single largest party.

CPI(M), leading the Left Front in Tripura, has won 30 seats and its ally RSP emerged victorious in one seats givig the front majority in the 60-member House. Another ally CPI was ahead in one seat and RSP in one more. The Congress has managed to win on five seats.

The Left Front had captured power in 1993 and had also won the two subsequent elections in 1998 and 2003. In the previous elections the Front had won 41 seats. In the current elections, one of its allies the Forward Bloc had broken away following differences on seat sharing.

Fractured verdict in Meghalaya

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The Congress bagged 25 out of 59 seats for which polling was held on March three.

The Congress, which led a coalition Ministry in the outgoing assembly, is expected to form a government with the support of independents and two smaller parties – Hill State People’s Democratic Party (HSPDP) and Khun Hynnieutrip National Awakening Movement (KHNAM), political analysts said.

The NCP, led by former Lok Sabha Speaker P A Sangma, garnered 14 seats followed by the United Democratic Party (UDP) 11, HSPDP two and KHNAM and BJP one each.

Independents romped home in five constituencies. Polling for Baghmara constituency was postponed to March 22 following the death of Congress contestant Sengran M Sangma.

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The NCP, a constituent of the UPA government at the Centre, is unlikely to be part of any Congress-led Ministry, the analysts said.

The Congress contested the election sans an alliance this time after having headed the outgoing Meghalaya Democratic Alliance government.

Chief Minister D D Lapang of the Congress retained the Nongpoh seat.

Deputy Chief Minister and UDP nominee Donkupar Roy won the Shella seat while another Dy CM and Congress contestant Mukul Sangma romped home from Ampatgiri constituency.

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PWD Minister Zenith Sangma, brother of Mukul Sangma, was humbled by Adolf Lu Hitler R. Marak of the NCP in Rangsakona constituency.

Health Minister Debora C MJarak (Cong) lost to NCP’s Marcuise N Marak in Rongrenggiri.

Former Chief Minister and UDP nominee E K Mawlong wrested Umroi seat from the Congress.

Another former CM Flinder Anderson Khonglam (HSPDP) lost to Phlopour W. Khongjee in Sohra constituency.