GUWAHATI: After the first hour of voting, CM Sangma's NPP has an early lead in 20 seats, followed by a close race between the TMC, BJP, and UDP.
Meghalaya went to the polls on February 27, with nearly 77.9% of the electorate voting. The counting of votes for the northeastern state's 59 assembly segments began today at 8 AM.
According to early trends, the National People's Party (NPP) is leading in 20 seats, while the BJP is leading in 7 and the Congress is leading in 7 seats.
A hung parliament, a coalition of estranged allies - the NPP and the BJP - or the opposition could all spring a surprise in the state, which is locked in a fierce battle with no clear winner.
According to three exit polls, the ruling National People's Party (NPP) will emerge as the single largest party with 20 seats in a hung parliament, with no party crossing the halfway mark.
Chief minister Conrad Sangma has hinted at a post-poll alliance with estranged ally Bharatiya Janata Party in case of a hung assembly scenario.
