India Narrative

  The stage is set for the high stakes battle between the BJP, Congress and Aam Aadmi Party as Goa, Uttarakhand and parts of western Uttar Pradesh go to the polls today. While it would be single-phase polling in Goa and Uttarakhand, votes would be cast in 55 assembly constituencies spread across nine districts of western Uttar Pradesh. Even as Uttar Pradesh dominated the election scenario, all eyes are also on Goa and Uttarakhand, where BJP is locked in fierce battles to stay in power. In Goa, this is the first electoral foray for the BJP without its talisman and master strategist, former chief minister, Manohar Parrikar. This small seaside state with 40 assembly seats is locked in a multi-corner contest. Pitted against the ruling BJP is Congress and AAP and Trinamool Congress among other smaller parties. However, analysts observed that the main fight would be between BJP and Congress. If it is anti-incumbency and factionalism plaguing the ruling BJP, Congress could be hit by the divis

  Uttarakhand also called "Devbhoomi"(Land of God) could possibly witness a close contest between the ruling BJP and its political rival-Congress. The Opinion polls have so far come up with mixed predictions. While the one conducted projected a "stiff competition" giving 33-35 seats for BJP and Congress each, the one conducted by Times Now predicted a landslide victory for BJP with anything between 44-50 seats. However, ground reports emanating from the region lean towards the first prediction. "It's not going to be a cakewalk for us," a BJP leader from the state revealed.  A senior Congress functionary echoed the same view."It's going to be a close fight." Of the 70 assembly berths, BJP has 57 MLAs while the Congress has 11 in its kitty. The saffron insiders believe that "anti-incumbency, unemployment and price rise" could be issues hurting the party. Sensing that unemployment has emerged as a major election issue both Congress