Ampati: On a day the Congress-Janata Dal (Secular) combine took over the reins in Karnataka, former Meghalaya chief minister Mukul Sangma predicted the return of the Congress in the state too.

"We know about the state's political trend and the challenges of providing a stable government, going by past records. We know what is going to happen in the days to come," he told The Telegraph at his residence in Chengkompara village here on Wednesday. Mukul is camping in his village to campaign for his daughter Miani D. Shira, the Congress candidate for the May 28 Ampati byelection.

Referring to the series of events in Karnataka, Mukul accused the BJP of resorting to illegal and unconstitutional means to capture power and "lure people to be greedy".

Recalling attempts to topple his erstwhile Congress-led government, the leader of the Opposition in the Assembly, who had provided Meghalaya a stable government from April 2010 to March 2018, said, "There were many attempts to topple the government but we could insulate it, resulting in stability. We (the Congress) have demonstrated our capability in the state, that we are not just able to provide a stable government but also of delivering. We have transformed the face of the state and created a positive perception of Meghalaya." He said the Congress would return to power and form a stable government.

Both the Opposition Congress and the ruling NPP have 20 MLAs in the 60-member Assembly. The Congress had emerged as the single largest party in the Assembly elections with 21 MLAs. Its numbers reduced to 20 after Mukul, who had contested two seats, gave up Ampati, his home turf. If his daughter wins the seat in the bypoll, the party will again emerge as the single largest party.

Asked if the Congress will stake claim to form the government, Mukul said, "In 2008 also they (other parties) had formed the government but could not run it. From 2009, we formed the government and maintained it. There were several challenges but we withstood them."