The feeble Nationalists Congress Party bid for power in Meghalaya on Monday fizzled out when the party failed to produce the requisite number in the 60-member state assembly after it staked claim for government-formation in the wake of a fractured verdict in assembly elections.
NCP legislature party leader E D Marak met Governor M M Jacob in the morning and staked claim to form ministry. After the meeting, Marak, whose party bagged 14 seats, declined to answer to reporters' queries if he had the required number of MLAs to support him.
Raj Bhawan sources said the governor had given Marak time till 1600 IST to come up with the list of his supporters. But the NCP leader failed to do so.
Under the circumstances, the governor is likely to invite Congress legislature party leader D D Lapang, who had submitted to him a list of 38 MLAs belonging to his party, the United Democratic Party, Meghalaya Democratic Party and independents, to form government on Tuesday.
The Congress emerged as the single largest party with 22 seats in the polls, and has been backed by UDP (9), MDP (4) and Independents (3).
Khun Hyniewtrep National Awkening Movement, which won two seats, also decided to join the Congress combine at a meeting late last night.