The Congress has sent a clear signal that it is ready to work with the Left ahead of the Lok Sabha elections in all states except West Bengal, Kerala and Tripura.

A pre-poll alliance in West Bengal, Tamil Nadu, Bihar, Maharashtra and Andhra Pradesh will be crucial for the Congress and the BJP in the coming Lok Sabha elections. While this may help the Congress retain its numbers in the Lower House, such alliances could increase the BJP’s numbers.

Gujarat chief minister Narendra Modi’s tour of different states is being seen in political circles as an attempt to mount pressure on the BJP high command to officially project him as the party’s prim

The speculation of an early general election is refusing to die down despite the government’s clarification that it would be held as per the schedule next year.

The struggle in the BJP on who should be projected its PM candidate, is making the Congress confident of retaining power at the Centre, a third time in succession.

The Karnataka Assembly battle is going to be a trendsetter for the Congress which will also prove whether Bharatiya Janata Party leader and Gujarat chief minister Narendra Modi is a vote-catcher outside his state.

UPA leaders are confident of retaining power for a third successive time due to a division in the Opposition and the inability of the regional parties to run the country. They are also indicating that Prime Minister Manmohan Singh could get a third term although some Congress leaders are aspiring for the top post.

The UPA managers are apparently confident of the Trinamul Congress, led by West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee, returning to its fold and joining the government at the Centre.

The Congress is jubilant over the growing proximity between the Samajwadi Party and the BJP, viewing this would certainly lead to a political realignment.

The Congress should play upper-caste politics in Uttar Pradesh and Bihar and bring the minorities back to the party from the Samajwadi Party and the BSP by launching a frontal attack on the BJP.