With a fractured verdict in Meghalaya, the Congresswhich went to the polls projecting it would emerge as the single largest partyand form the next government, secured 22 seats in the 60-member house, five morethan it had in the outgoing assembly.
The party had also regretted entering the F A KhonglamMeghalaya Peoples Forum coalition ministry during campaigning.
Some of the coalition partners of the MPF also couldnot match their performance this time around, which would give a fillip to thebargaining powers of the Congress.
The NCP, which had 15 legislators, won a seat less thistime, while the United Democratic Party's strength in the house came down tonine from 13.
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The Meghalaya Democratic Party's strength likewisedwindled to nine from seven in the outgoing house.
The Hills State Peoples' Democratic Party's positionremained the same with two seats.
The opposition BJP, which had three seats, secured oneless this time, while Independents got five seats.
The Garo National Council, which had a lone member inthe house, drew a blank.
Regional outfit, the Khun Hynniewtrep NationalAwakening Movement, political wing of the Khasi Students Union floated fivemonths ago, bagged the Jaiaw seat humbling former finance minister A H Scott-Lyndoh.
Chief Minister Dr Flinder Anderson Khonglam, who contested on an HSPDP ticket,retained his Sohra seat defeating his nearest rival Phlour W Khongjee (UDP) by amargin of 557.
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Besides Khonglam, five other ministers of his cabinetalso won.
Senior Congress leader Pranab Mukherjee indicated thatD D Lapang, Khonglam's deputy would be the main contender for chief ministership.The CLP meeting will be held tomorrow to elect its leader.
The Congress cashed in on friendly contests to defeatVeterinary Minister Rain Agustine Lyndoh (UDP) in Sohiong and Soil ConservationMinister Sambur Swell Lyndon (MDP) in Sohryngkhkam constituency.
The Congress state president and former Chief MinisterSalseng C Marak, however, lost to MCP at Resubelpara in another friendlycontest.
Former Chief Minister and UDP president E K Mawlong toolost to Congress in Umroi in a friendly contest.
PTI
