National parties Congress and BJP and regional parties are leaving no stone unturned to emerge winners in the upcoming elections in the five states Uttar Pradesh, Punjab, Goa, Uttarakhand and Manipur.
While various opinion polls are giving an edge to the ruling BJP lead NDA government at the centre with the divided opposition battling in all states to save their identity, many say triangular contests are always a close call.
Of all the five states, Congress and BJP are training their guns on key states Uttar Pradesh and Punjab. Opinon polls predicted Congress to dislodge SAD-BJP combine from power in the state. SAD-BJP combine which is in power for two consecutive terms is facing huge anti incumbency.
PUNJAB
Punjab resisted Modi wave in 2014 elections with the combine winning only 6 of the 13 states. Now surprise factor is Aravind Kejriwal's AAP which at that time won 4 seats and 30% vote share almost wiping out the Congress. Punjabis broke the sentiment and for the first time didnot change the incumbent party in 2012 and if Congress this time lose out to AAP, it will be disastrous.
Punjab Congress party chief Amarinder Singh can win this elections easily. But infighting and non cooperation and lack of trust between him and Congress vice president Rahul Gandhi is marring the party chancecs. Induction of Navjot Sindhu into the party and rivals in the party projecting him as CM are denting his chances.
SAD is hoping AAP to do well but not to do so well to cocme to power but dent Congress chances. BJP is banking on PM Modi's popularity to overcome anti incumbency wave.
Uttar Pradesh
Regional parties SP and BSP ruled the state for around 15 years leaving nothing for national parties BJP and Congress. National parties performed well to some extent only in Loksabha elections. In 2014 BJP came with stunning performance winning 73 out of 82 Loksabha states.
Now SP is trying to battle the anti incumbency and in fighting with father Mulayam Singh and son Akhilesh waging bitter battle between themselves than the opponent. When poll campaign started the fight appeared to be between BJP and BSP which concentrating on musilm vote base to add to its 20% dalit base.
Muslims are confused after the infighting between Mulayam and Akhilesh yadav. However people of UP are preferring Akhilesh Yadav as CM and this is huge plus point while BJP which is not having any CM face is banking on PM Modi's popularity.
With Congress and SP entering into alliance thanks to Rahul and Akhilesh, fight is becoming three way. Fortunes are swinging between BJP,BSP and SP and it is quite a close call.
Finally PM Modi's demonetisation decision which is nothing less than a surgical strike changed the equations in all states that are going to elections.
