Meghalaya to be anti-Congress?Here are the LIVE UPDATES

As the Meghalaya polls threw a hung verdict, the BJP said it is ready to provide all support to form a non-Congress government in the hill state but the initiative has to be taken by the regional outfit National People’s Party (NPP), which bagged the second-highest 19 seats.

Assam minister and BJP leader Himanta Biswa Sarma said the verdict of the assembly elections in Meghalaya was against the Congress, which ruled the state for a decade, and against incumbent Chief Minister Mukul Sangma.

“We want the NPP to take the initiative and the BJP will provide full cooperation. We are here to help form a non-Congress government,” he told reporters Shillong.

Sarma said the BJP will encourage smaller parties and independents to join hands with the NPP to form the next government in Meghalaya.

He said the saffron party would not like to take the lead in government formation even though it is ready to talk to everyone “unofficially” to form a government.

In the 60-member assembly, the Congress, which had been in power, bagged 21 seats, the NPP, led by Conrad Sangma, son of late PA Sangma, got 19 seats, the BJP got two seats, the United Democratic Party bagged six seats, the People’s Democratic Front bagged four seats, the Hill State People’s Democratic Party got two seats, the NCP and the Khun Hynniewtrep National Awakening Movement got one each and independents bagged three seats.

Here are the LIVE UPDATES:

15:04 (IST)

In Meghalaya, ‘Kingmaker’ UDP Donkupar Roy Keeps Up Suspense For Congress, NPP Coalition
The United Democratic Party that won six seats in Meghalaya assembly elections and could get to decide who forms the next government in the state suggested that it would support the political formation that is able to provide “a stable government.

13:59 (IST)

Kiren Rijiju: BJP parliamentary board has sent me to communicate to the UDP that we are with them and will support the formation of a non-congress government in Meghalaya.

13:57 (IST)

Senior BJP leaders meet leaders of the regional party in Meghalaya. BJP leaders and union ministers Kiren Rijiju and KJ Alphonse meet with leaders of UDP.

13:07 (IST)

Kiren Rijiju tweets:

Newly elected MLA Shri A.L. Hek is declared the Leader of BJP Legislature Party in Meghalaya Legislative Assembly. pic.twitter.com/aQ8a4v04ah

— Kiren Rijiju (@KirenRijiju) March 4, 2018

12:06 (IST)

Independent lawmaker Samuel M Sangma meets Himanta Biswa Sarma at Assam Bhawan in Shillong.

11:44 (IST)

A day after Holi, the results of Northeast elections again created an environment of festival. You must think why I am discussing it here. I’m not seeing it as victory & defeat of political parties, significant is that entire nation was involved in North-east’s celebrations: PM Narendra Modi.

11:30 (IST)

Donkupar Roy, Former Chief Minister and head of the UDP to reporters:

We haven’t decided who to support

Biggest priority for us is a stable government

If NPP has 19 MLAs, will they stick together?

We ask the same question of the Congress

Have been in touch with both sides

Not correct to say we are inclined towards the BJP

10:45 (IST)

The BJP’s Himanta Biswa Sarma and Alphons Kannanthanam are likely to meet the governor at 1 pm today for a courtesy call.

09:31 (IST)

Congress Moves Swiftly In Hung Meghalaya, Late Night Call To Governor
Faced with the prospect of being pipped by regional parties, the Congress, which emerged as the single largest party in a hung Meghalaya verdict, met with Governor Ganga Prasad late last night, staking claim to form the government.

09:31 (IST)

Senior Congress leader Kamal Nath to reporters:

We met the governor

Told him that we should be given the first shot at forming a govt

There are clear guidelines in place that say that the single largest party should be called first.

08:30 (IST)

BJP’s key strategist for the Northeast, Himanta Biswa Sarma, told reporters that regional parties should join hands and form a “non-Congress” government in Meghalaya

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