by Harish Gupta, National Editor, Lokmat Group
The assembly elections due in 824 constituencies across four states—Assam,
West Bengal, Kerala and Tamil Nadu—and the Union Territory of Puducherry may
have a more than usual quota of surprises. Incumbency can be its reason in only
one state, Assam, where Congress is in power for three terms and Tarun Gogoi
has led the government all these years. There is another factor, tedium,
working in two states: Kerala and West Bengal. It is tedium with the main opposition,
which is CPI(M) in both states. Neither Congress' Omen Chandy nor Trinamool
Congress supremo Mamata Banerjee is a picture of popularity after five years in
power.
