BHOPAL: With three consecutive wins in the assembly polls, BJP is sitting pretty. Its tally for the state’s Lok Sabha seats has been rising steadily and now, with Narendra Modi’s focus firmly fixed on Delhi, the party is after a clean sweep. Congress, meanwhile, has a history to fall back on. In 2009, it had managed to regain lost ground to an extent by raising its tally from 4 to 12 seats. For chief minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan, that could be a challenge.

JAIPUR: BJP can perhaps be forgiven for considering the state’s 25 seats already won. After all, it had just staged a spectacular comeback in the assembly polls. What sweetened the victory was that Congress, with a little caution, could have maintained its grip on the state. But factionalism and infighting still haunt the Congress. The wounds of the poll debacle are yet to heal, as new PCC chief Sachin Pilot is struggling to find his feet.

AHMEDABAD: Gujarat has become the epicenter of Mandate 2014 — courtesy Narendra Modi, BJP’s PM nominee. BJP is expected to bag most of the state’s 26 LS seats. The primary reason is its well-oiled machinery that has come from ruling the state since 1998. Although Congress fared well in 2004 (12 seats) and 2009 (11), it is troubled by weak organisation and age-old problem,intense infighting, this time.

BANGALORE: Karnataka is a classic case of too many cooks spoiling the broth. Both BJP and Congress, which returned to power in the state in 2013, changed CMs several times, affecting the government’s functioning. But Congress’ latest CM Siddharamaiah, with his administrative skills and a clean image, is expected to carry the day. The once-influential JD(S) of former PM HD Deve Gowda is on a sticky wicket.

RAIPUR: With no strong regional party, it will be a straight contest between BJP and Congress again. And for the ruling BJP, the combined effect of Narendra Modi and Raman Singh is likely to give it a total sweep. If the party’s march is hindered anywhere, it will be in the tribal belts. Modi’s tea party, one-note one-vote campaign and collection of iron for the statue of unity have helped BJP connect with the masses in a big way.