Meghalaya hung, Cong is single largest party

After its string of poll defeats last year, there was some consolation for the Congress in Meghalaya, where it has emerged as the single largest party...

After its string of poll defeats last year, there was some consolation for the Congress in Meghalaya, where it has emerged as the single largest party winning 25 seats 60-member Assembly. Within the party clinching three seats more than the last election, the Congress is now preparing to form another coalition Government to retain power in the state.

An upbeat state Congress president O L Nongtdu said, “The verdict clearly shows that the people have faith in the Congress and want the party to continue with its policies and programmes.” Though the Congress is clearly in the driver’s seat, it would have to decide on its allies soon. Nongtdu said the Congress Legislature Party (CLP) would meet on Saturday to decide on the coalition.

The biggest disappointment of the election has been the NCP. Though its leader Purno A Sangma and his two sons, Conrad and James, won their respective Assembly seats, the party failed to improve on its tally of 14 seats secured in the last election. In fact, the NCP got one seat less in the three Garo Hills districts, Sangma’s stronghold.

Story continues below this ad

Sangma’s election mantra of “vote NCP for change” did not appear to work as the party won just two seats in the Khasi and Jaintia Hills. Sangma was hoping to form a coalition Government with the regional United Democratic Party (UDP), an ally of the Congress in the outgoing Meghalaya Democratic Alliance (MDA) Government. In fact, the UDP has also managed to win just 11 seats.

Chief Minister D D Lapang was among the prominent winners, holding on to his Nongpoh seat. By being soft on the UDP during the campaign, Lapang was shrewdly kept open options of forming another coalition Government.

However, due to its good showing, his party also has the option of forming a coalition Government without the UDP. The Congress can cross the magic figure if it manages to rope in five Independent MLAs along with the two from the Hills State People’s Democratic Party (HSPDP) and the lone Khun Hynniewtrep National Awakening Movement (KHNAM) legislator. But given the nature of Meghalaya politics, the Congress might prefer a more stable Government with the UDP as an ally.

Congress ministers Deborah Marak, Manirul Islam Sarkar and Zenith M Sangma as well as Cabinet minister and Meghalaya Democratic Party (MDP) chief Martle N Mukhim have failed to retain their seats.

Story continues below this ad

In the 59 seats to which elections were held, as many as 35 sitting legislators have lost. These include 16 Congress MLAs and seven UDP legislators.

However, compared to the last Assembly, which had three women members, this time only UDP candidate Ampareen Lyngdoh— Education Minister and Congress leader R G Lyngdoh’s sister—has won.

GIANT KILLERS

• Congress candidate P W Khongji defeated former Chief Minister and HSPDP Sohra candidate F A Khonglam

• Rongrenggre NCP candidate Marcuise N Marak defeated two-time MLA and Cabinet minister Deborah Ch Marak by a margin of 3,361 votes. Last time, Marak had defeated Marcuise by a slender margin of 60 votes

Story continues below this ad

• In Diengling, UDP candidate Remington Pyngrope defeated four-time MLA and Forest Minister Martle Mukhim by a margin of 66 votes