Sangma balloon punctured, Cong coalition likely

SHILLONG: Former Lok Sabha Speaker P A Sangma, whose return to Meghalaya politics had led to speculation of new equations in this politically-volatile state, was left disappointed with his NCP winning only 14 seats, falling far behind the Congress��� 25 seats in the 60-member assembly.

The election to the 60-member assembly threw up a hung house with the ruling Congress emerging as the largest party. The Congress, which led a coalition ministry in the outgoing assembly, is expected to form a government with the support of independents and two smaller parties ��� Hill State People���s Democratic Party (HSPDP) and Khun Hynnieutrip National Awakening Movement (KHNAM), political analysts said. The United Democratic Party has 11 seats, HSPDP two and KHNAM and BJP one each. Independents romped home in 5 constituencies.

The NCP just managed to keep its tally in the outgoing assembly, clearly indicating that there were few takers for Sangma, arguably the tallest political leader from the region in present day national politics.

Sangma, however, demonstrated his domination over the Garo Hills by winning from the Tura constituency, which he had also represented in Parliament. The Garo Hills has been a NCP bastion, accounting for the 13 NCP legislators in the outgoing assembly.

The NCP���s domination there was challenged this time with the party losing three previously held seats. The party compensated for this loss by gaining two seats each in the Khasi and Jaintia hills.

Sangma���s sons Conrad and James also managed to grab their seats, though his two brothers-in-law faced defeat.

The father-son trio may have managed to take ���family politics��� to new highs in Meghalaya, but the patriarch seemed unlikely to occupy the chief ministerial chair.

With NCP failing to make any marked improvement in its previous tally, the results indicated that Sangma���s charisma and personality, the main strength of the party, failed to cross the known frontiers.

Returning to state politics with much ado just ahead of the assembly polls, P A Sangma���s claims of bringing in a new political leadership to the state have been crushed by the incumbent Congress.

The NCP, a constituent of the UPA government at the Centre, is unlikely to be part of the Congress-led ministry.

The Congress contested the election sans an alliance this time after having headed the outgoing Meghalaya Democratic Alliance government.

Chief minister D D Lapang of the Congress retained the Nongpoh seat. Deputy chief minister and UDP nominee Donkupar Roy won the Shella seat while another deputy chief minister and Congress contestant Mukul Sangma romped home from Ampatgiri constituency.

PWD minister Zenith Sangma, brother of Mukul Sangma, was humbled by Adolf Lu Hitler R Marak of the NCP in Rangsakona constituency. Health minister Debora C M Jarak lost to NCP���s Marcuise N Marak in Rongrenggiri.

Former chief minister and UDP nominee E K Mawlong wrested Umroi seat from the Congress.

Another former CM Flinder Anderson Khonglam (HSPDP) lost to Phlopour W. Khongjee in Sohra constituency. Polling for Baghmara constituency was postponed to March 22 following the death of Congress contestant Sengran M Sangma.