LUCKNOW: The state’s 80 seats give its regional parties a significant heft at the Centre, and both SP and BSP intend to play the kingmaker this time, if not the king. SP chief Mulayam Singh Yadav, who has joined the Left-led 11-party front, has already aired his prime ministerial ambitions. BSP chief Mayawati is keeping her options open. BJP hopes to win big and Congress, in a shambles, appears set to bring up the rear.

MUMBAI: The last thing Congress can expect is to protect its 17 seats. The ruling NCP-Congress combine has been in power for three terms in a row and anti-incumbency is at its peak. But the saffron block won’t have it easy either. The fourth corner in this four-way contest — MNS — could eat into its vote bank. The debutant AAP could be the proverbial spoilsport — with a few surprise punches.

PATNA: The picture in Bihar is changing very fast, as the state’s 40 seats are among the most-watched this season. The latest shake-ups — Ram Vilas Paswan’s LJP going for an electoral tie-up with BJP and RJD’s alliance with the Congress, hiccups and all — have left chief minister Nitish Kumar’s JD(U) with the prospects of a lone battle.

HYDERABAD: The green signal on Telangana is likely to spoil the chances of Congress. While Seemandhra is livid, Telangana has become tricky for the party, following the TRS’ volte face on a merger. Though Andhra Pradesh will vote as one, Seemandhra’s 25 seats will witness a close fight between TDP and YSR Congress. A pitched battle is expected for Telangana’s 17 seats between TRS and Congress, friends turned foes.

CHENNAI: Chief minister J Jayalalithaa has joined the race for the top job and, to that end, she is targeting all seats from the state. The lookout for Congress is dismal. The split with the DMK has left it weak while the DMK is facing revolt from party patriarch Karunandhi’s son MK Alagiri. If Congress and DMK are unable to come together, the AIADMK sweep will be unhindered — the more the merrier for Amma.