Meghalaya Assembly Election

The 1972 Meghalaya Assembly election was historic, as it was the first after statehood. The regional party APHLC dominated and Williamson A. Sangma became the state’s first CM, while national parties like Congress played only a minor role.

The 1978 Meghalaya Assembly election resulted in a hung assembly. While Congress was the largest party, regional parties united in a coalition (MPC) to form the government. This election marked the beginning of frequent coalition governments and political instability in Meghalaya’s politics.

The 1983 Meghalaya Assembly election produced another hung assembly. While Congress emerged as the largest party, the regional parties (APHLC + HSPDP) together matched its strength. This led to coalition governments and shifting power between B.B. Lyngdoh and W.A. Sangma, further deepening Meghalaya’s pattern of unstable politics.

The 1988 Meghalaya Assembly election saw Congress emerge as the largest party (22), but the rise of HPU (19 seats) transformed state politics. With no party in majority, the state witnessed unstable governments, with both P.A. Sangma and B.B. Lyngdoh serving as Chief Ministers at different times.

The 1993 Meghalaya Assembly election resulted in another hung assembly. Congress (24) led the government under S.C. Marak, supported by independents and smaller parties, while the newly formed UDP (11 seats) emerged as a strong regional challenger.

The 1998 Meghalaya Assembly election produced yet another hung house. Congress (25) and UDP (20) were the main rivals. Coalition politics brought B.B. Lyngdoh to power initially, but instability and shifting alliances meant S.C. Marak of Congress also took over later.

The 2003 Meghalaya Assembly election gave Congress (22 seats) the lead but not a majority. With the rise of NCP (14 seats) and UDP (9), a fractured mandate forced coalition-building. D.D. Lapang of Congress led the coalition government, but political instability persisted.

The 2008 Meghalaya Assembly election gave a hung assembly. Congress (25) fell short, while a coalition of regional parties and NCP under UDP’s Donkupar Roy formed the government after D.D. Lapang’s short tenure. Instability continued, with shifting alliances shaping the state’s politics.

The 2013 Meghalaya Assembly election gave INC (29 seats) a near-majority, allowing Dr. Mukul Sangma to form a stable government with minimal coalition support. It also marked the entry of NPP into Meghalaya politics, which would later become a dominant force.

The 2018 Meghalaya Assembly election marked a turning point: Congress (21) lost power despite being the largest party, while NPP (19) under Conrad K. Sangma stitched together a broad coalition (MDA) to form the government. This election cemented NPP’s rise as a dominant regional force.

The 2023 Meghalaya Assembly election reaffirmed NPP’s dominance with 26 seats. Despite falling short of majority, Conrad K. Sangma secured his second consecutive term as CM by leading a coalition. Traditional parties like Congress and TMC continued to weaken, while regional outfits like UDP and VPP gained ground.