The Congress on Saturday rushed three senior leaders to Meghalaya to secure the necessary numbers to form the government in the state. They included Ahmed Patel, Mukul Wasnik and Kamal Nath.
File Photo: The HinduThis was after Meghalaya once again delivered a fractured mandate with no party obtaining an absolute majority. According to the Election Commission data, the Congress with 21 seats has emerged the single largest party in the 60-seat Meghalaya assembly. The BJP has won two, the NCP one and the Hill State People’s Democratic Party has won two seats. The BJP’s former ally and the party launched by former Lok Sabha Speaker PA Sangma, National People’s Party has won 19 seats. Six seats has gone to the United Democratic Party, three to independents, four to People’s Democratic Front and one has been won by the KHNAM.
Embarrassed by having been outsmarted in the numbers’ game despite being the single largest party in Goa, the Congress clearly did not appear in the mood of a repetition here. However, the party’s plans on how it will secure the support from smaller parties were leaked after the paper with the necessary calculation was photographed.
Caught on camera: Congress leader Mukul Wasnik carrying paper with seat tallies and what appears to be numbers for Government formation in Meghalaya. #MeghalayaElection2018 pic.twitter.com/0LPfGGYZwu
— ANI (@ANI) March 3, 2018
Meanwhile the BJP has denied allegations that it planned to indulge in horse-trading to form the government in Meghalaya.
Earlier today, the BJP created history by dislodging the 25 years of the Left rule in Tripura when the saffron party won Loren than 40 seats in the 60-seat assembly.