Ahmed Patel, Kamal Nath rush to Meghalaya to stitch alliances

Keen to avoid a repeat of Manipur and Goa, the Congress on Saturday rushed senior leaders Ahmed Patel, Kamal Nath and Mukul Wasnik to Meghalaya which has thrown up a hung Assembly.

Regional parties such as the United Democratic Party, the Hill State People's Democratic Party, the People's Democratic Front along with Independent MLAs hold the key to power in Meghalaya where the Congress is looking at a third term in office.

Patel, Nath and Wasnik will be engaged in a battle of wits with the BJP's Himanta Biswa Sarma in winning the support of the regional parties.

The task is cut out for Congress leaders - make swift moves to win support and avoid a repeat of Manipur and Goa, where the BJP formed the government with regional outfits despite the Congress emerging as the single-largest party.

"We are confident, we will be able to form the government in Meghalaya," Patel said on reaching Shillong.

Nath was also dismissive of the challenge posed by former Congressman Sarma, who is now the BJP pointsman for the entire Northeast.

The Congress has been in power in Meghalaya since 2003 barring a year-long rule by the United Democratic Party in 2008-09.

Chief Minister Mukul Sangma has strengthened his hold on the Congress during his nearly eight years in office.

Sangma had successfully weathered the challenges posed by the defection of seven Congress MLAs to the BJP last year.

His negotiation skills, along with the support from party veterans Patel and Nath, will be put to test over the next few days.

The Congress and NPP, founded by late P A Sangma, were locked in a neck-and-neck fight in Meghalaya.

The Congress had won 11 seats and leading on 10 seats, with the NPP close behind with five seats under its belt and leading on another 14.

The NPP is expected to get the backing of the BJP which has won two seats.

"In Meghalaya, the vote is basically against the Congress. Leaders will discuss if there can be possibility of a post poll alliance," BJP leader Nalin Kohli said.