SHILLONG: With multiple parties and alliances, the 2018 Assembly polls may yet again result in a fractured mandate but there are many aspirants this time to the single largest party position.
With over six months to the polls, the trend does not indicate absolute majority for any political party.
Without any absolute majority, there are indications of some prominent political parties emerging the single largest.
Earlier, MPCC president DD Lapang had claimed that despite adversities, the Congress may still emerge as the single largest party.
However, political observers feel that this time, the situation will be different as BJP had captured power at the Centre and its expansion in the North East coupled with heavy anti-incumbency for the Congress may affect the prospects of the ruling party in the State.
NPP is slowly emerging as alternate to the Congress in Garo Hills, while the party is making inroads into Khasi and Jaintia Hills as it is in the process of finding suitable candidates. The party is also trying all means to emerge as the single largest.
However, BJP will be a big player in the 2018 polls compared to the past.
Assam BJP leader Himanta Biswa Sarma, who is a keen observer of Meghalaya politics, last week said a non-Congress government will be installed in Meghalaya in 2018.
Among the political parties, the Congress and BJP will put up candidates in all the 60 seats followed by NPP and then the regional parties, UDP and HSPDP.
To boost its presence in Garo Hills, UDP has already made seat adjustments with GNC.
Unlike the past, UDP and HSPDP hope to make a difference with the pre-poll alliance, a first initiative in the recent past.
Though KHNAM does not have any legislator, the party will also field a few candidates.
KHNAM is yet to come to any understanding with the regional parties though there are talks about UDP approaching KHNAM for alliance.
The new entrant, PDF, which is yet to shape up, and NCP are planning to expand their bases.
PDF will get a boost after the joining of suspended Congress MLA and KHADC CEM shortly while NCP is likely to get a new leader, the independent legislator, Saleng Sangma, who wants to organise the party in Garo Hills.
The current party-wise strength in the Assembly is Congress (30), UDP (8), HSPDP (4), NPP and NCP (2 each), North East Social Democratic Party led by lone MLA Lamboklang Mylliem and Independents (13).
Though independents may play a crucial role in the government formation, their support will depend on who has the majority.
However, many independent MLAs in the current Assembly are planning to join the non-Congress parties to contest the 2018 polls.
The worrying factor for the Congress is that many legislators will leave the party after the last session of the Assembly in September. This may affect its poll prospects in 2018.
Anti incumbency, lack of response on the part of AICC to effect a change of leadership after the demand was raised in the past, a weak MPCC leadership and the style of functioning of Chief Minister Mukul Sangma are some of the reasons for the exodus of the Congress legislators.
Curiously, NPP, BJP, PDF and NCP have indicated that many legislators will join their fold.
