Shillong: Congress, which has emerged as the single largest party, is likely to stake claim tonight (March 2) to form the government in Meghalaya along with MDP (Meghalaya Democratic Party) and UDP (United Democratic Party) and other like-minded regional parties.

The CLP (Congress Legislature Party) meeting, held during the afternoon, unanimously elected D D Lapang as its leader and authorised him and PCC (Pradesh Congress Committee) president Salseng C Marak to undertake negotiations with the like-minded parties, CWC (Congress Working Committee) member Pranab Mukherjee said after the meeting.

Besides Mukherjee, AICC (All India Congress Committee) general secretary Oscar Fernandes and Mukul Wasnik were present at the meeting as observers.

Another resolution adopted at the meeting said the CLP would not lag behind in discharging its duties to serve the people of the state.

Replying to a question, Mukherjee said talks are already on with UDP and MDP besides some other regional parties, which he did not name.

When asked whether Congress had any negotiations with the NCP (Nationalist Congress Party) to form the government, he replied in the negative.

Congress has clinched 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.

PTI