The Congress emerged as the single largest party in Meghalaya after winning 21 of the 59 seats that went to polls, as the state threw up a hung Assembly.
Second position in the state was sealed by the National People’s Party (NPP) as it won 19 seats. The BJP, which contested 47 seats, only managed to stake its claim on two seats.
To form government in Meghalaya at the present juncture, a party or coalition requires a minimum of 30 seats.
The Congress, which had no pre-poll arrangement with any party, has rushed senior leaders Ahmed Patel, Kamal Nath and Mukul Wasnik to the state to explore the possibility of forging an alliance to form the government.
“Well, we will make a claim to the Governor tonight and ask him to call us to form the government,” said Kamal Nath adding that Congress was in touch all the regional parties in Meghayala in its efforts to form the government.
He accused the BJP of using money power to cause as much disturbance as possible and to keep the Congress out of power.
On the other hand, BJP too had no seat-sharing arrangement with any party. However, the NPP is an ally of the saffron party at the Centre and in Manipur.
NPP chief Conrad Sangma said, “We are hopeful that we will be able to form the government. People are fed up with the corrupt Congress government and are looking for a change.”
All eyes are now on the regional parties and independent candidates.
The United Democratic Party (UDP) has won six seats followed by the People’s Democratic Front (PDF) with four and the Hill State People’s Democratic Party (HSPDP)with two. The Khun Hynniewtrep National Awakening Movement and the Nationalist Congress Party won one seat each.
The UDF and the HSPDP have a pre-polls alliance.
Independent candidates won three seats.
(With agency inputs)