Monday big day, state polls' results to be announced

New Delhi: There are worries in some quarters that the terror and inflation may cost the Congress dear in Delhi. The anti-incumbency factor hit the BJP in Madhya Pradesh and in Rajasthan. Monday is the big day as election results in five key states will be out and experts say that the BJP has the edge.

It's the semi final before the big final. The state elections are being touted as mini general elections before the Parliamentary polls next year.

These are all the more vital for Congress which has not won a single state poll in the past two years.

Local issues have faded into nothingness over the Mumbai blasts that overshadowed the polls.

The effect of the global recession on Indian economy will also count and the scenario is certainly a scary one for the ruling UPA before the votes are counted on Monday morning.

In 2003, the Congress party lost the key state of Madhya Pradesh because of the huge anti incumbency factor against Digvijay Singh.

In 2008, it is still struggling with internal divisions within its local units. Suresh Pachauri, Kamal Nath and Jyotiraditya Scindia are all leaders of repute harbouring ambitions of making it to the chief minister's post.

" We are very confident of performing well," said Kamal Nath.

In Rajasthan, out-going chief minister Vasundhara Raje Scindia is fighting it out all by herself.

It's part of BJP's new strategy to empower the local leadership. The BJP's game plan is in stark contrast to the Congress model.

10, Janpath is authorised to take all decisions for the Congress. The states of Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan had switched sides from the Congress to the BJP in 2003. Congress hopes to return to rule this time around.

"Those who talk about corruption against me should give me some evidence," said Vasundhara Raje.

In Delhi it's the Congress that's trying to hold onto its throne. The task's become challenging, following the terror strike of 26/11.

Sheila Dixit's trump card was development and security for all in Delhi while BJP's VK Malhotra is hoping to head the assembly as chief minister in the twilight of his career.

It's the same security fear that's gripped the Congress in Chattisgarh. Here, the entire election has become almost like a referendum on Salva Judum, a movement against naxals described by the government as spontaneous.

Already the bookies are predicting Chhatisgarh, Madhya Pradesh and Delhi may go to the BJP and in Rajasthan too the lotus has a slight edge.