The elections in Maharashtra, Haryana and Arunchal Pradesh were being considered the first crucial test of popularity for major political parties after the Lok Sabha polls. With the Congress romping ahead of the opposition and heading for power in all three states, it now seems like a one-horse race.
In Maharashtra, the Raj Thackeray-led Maharashtra Navnirman Sena's presence is being seen as one of the main reasons behind the Congress's success. In the words of BJP leader Gopinath Munde [Images], the MNS is the only reason they lost.
The Congress seems to have taken some beating in Haryana, where it was expected to secure a clean sweep. However, it is slowly but surely heading back to power there, the only government to be returned to power.
In Arunachal Pradesh, the Congress doesn't seem to need its ally, the Nationalist Congress Party, to form a government as it is set to sweep the polls in the state.
What do you think of the electoral outcome? Did the Congress win on a positive vote, or was it due to the Opposition's inability to capitalise on its deficiencies? Is the Congress finally on the comeback trail? What are the lessons for the Opposition from the assembly election results? Tell us!
