The Congress staked claim to form a coalition government in Meghalaya. DD Lapang, whom the CLP elected its leader in the afternoon, met Governor MM Jacob with a list of 38 MLAs, including those from United Democratic Party (UDP), Meghalaya Democratic Party (MDP) and three Independent legislators.
The Congress has emerged as the single largest party with 22 seats in a 60-member assembly, in a hung verdict returned by the electorate.
Lapang told reporters that Congress, UDP, MDP and Independent MLAs would meet on Monday to elect the coalition leader. The Khun Hynniewtrep National Awakening Movement, which has two MLAs, is also likely to back the coalition, he said. Lapang is likely to get the CM's seat.
A meeting of the Congress Legislature Party(CLP), held here on Sunday afternoon, unanimously elected D D Lapang as its leader and authorised him and PCC president Salseng C Marak to undertake negotiations with the like-minded parties, CWC member Pranab Mukherjee said after the meeting.
Asked whether Congress had any negotiations with the NCP to form the government, he replied in the negative.
Besides Mukherjee, AICC General Secretary Oscar Fernandes and congress leader Mukul Wasnik were present at the meeting as observers.
{{/usCountry}}Besides Mukherjee, AICC General Secretary Oscar Fernandes and congress leader Mukul Wasnik were present at the meeting as observers.
{{/usCountry}}Another resolution adopted at the meeting said the CLP would not lag behind in discharging its duties to serve the people of the state.
Congress has won 22 of the 60 seats in Meghalaya, the UDP won 9 and MDP 4. NCP managed the second largest number of 14 seats, while BJP secured 2, HSPDP 2, KHNM 2 and independents 5.