The Congress emerged as the single largest party in Meghalaya by securing 29 seats in the 60-member assembly, with chief minister Mukul Sangma set for a second term.
‘The people have responded to us for good governance and development,’ a jubilant Sangma, 47, told IANS by phone from Tura, the district headquarters of West Garo Hills.
Sangma retained his Ampati constituency for the fifth successive term, defeating his nearest National People’s Party (NPP) rival by more than 9,000 votes. His wife Dikkachi D. Shira and his brother Zenith M. Sangma were victorious from Mahendraganj and Rangsakona constituency.
The Congress won four more seats than in 2008.
‘I am glad that the people of Meghalaya reposed faith in the Congress,’ Sangma said.
There were celebrations across Meghalaya in the Congress camp with victory processions being taken out and jubilant supporters and candidates bursting crackers and distributing sweets.
Of the 122 Independents, 13, including two former Congress legislators – Saleng A Sangma and Samuel Sangma – who were denied Congress tickets also won.
The electoral battle proved fatal for former Lok Sabha speaker P A Sangma’s NPP as only two of its 32 candidates won.
James Sangma, the eldest son of the former Lok Sabha speaker, and Nihim D. Shira were the only NPP candidates who managed to retain their seats in the assembly.
‘If it is the people’s mandate, we have to accepted it,’ Leader of Opposition Conrad K Sangma, said.
‘The people have responded to us for good governance and development,’ a jubilant Sangma, 47, told IANS by phone from Tura, the district headquarters of West Garo Hills.
Sangma retained his Ampati constituency for the fifth successive term, defeating his nearest National People’s Party (NPP) rival by more than 9,000 votes. His wife Dikkachi D. Shira and his brother Zenith M. Sangma were victorious from Mahendraganj and Rangsakona constituency.
The Congress won four more seats than in 2008.
‘I am glad that the people of Meghalaya reposed faith in the Congress,’ Sangma said.
There were celebrations across Meghalaya in the Congress camp with victory processions being taken out and jubilant supporters and candidates bursting crackers and distributing sweets.
Of the 122 Independents, 13, including two former Congress legislators – Saleng A Sangma and Samuel Sangma – who were denied Congress tickets also won.
The electoral battle proved fatal for former Lok Sabha speaker P A Sangma’s NPP as only two of its 32 candidates won.
James Sangma, the eldest son of the former Lok Sabha speaker, and Nihim D. Shira were the only NPP candidates who managed to retain their seats in the assembly.
‘If it is the people’s mandate, we have to accepted it,’ Leader of Opposition Conrad K Sangma, said.