The political canvass is going to change after the Assembly elections in Maharashtra and Haryana. The outcome of these elections could be the first test for BJP-Government at the Centre after its stunning victory in general elections. The new realignment during the Assembly elections would give BJP an edge and would emerge as a strong opponent to Congress and local outfits like Om Parkash Chautala-led Indian National Lok Dal (INLD) and Sharad Pawar-led Nationalist Congress Party (NCP). Contrary to conventional wisdom, youth are more concerned about inflation, about women’s security, livelihood issues as governance, economic development are the common links in the current Assembly elections. Corruption is the biggest issue irrespective of the age, caste, creed and religion.BJP, which is different than the identity politics of Pawars, Chautalas, Lals, has decided to go alone in these two states. Congress cannot look beyond Sonia-Rahul because of its ‘High Command’ culture. If BJP is able to break the identity barrier in both the states the repercussion will have far reaching effect. Faced with anti-incumbency riding high, Congress will have some tough time to gain grounds in both the states. Here BJP has an edge over its traditional rival. The diminishing image of local outfits do hold some bargain power in government forming thus regional players may have some clout in selected pockets. As compared to Uttar Pradesh where campaigning was polarised in Haryana and Maharashtra it has been relatively free from the malady. A marked departure from the traditional strategy has been that both BJP and Congress have not declared Chief Ministerial candidates in both the states, which conveys that both are open to have local players as partners in government forming, if they fall short of requisite numbers.
