Gujarat polls to set the trend for next general elections

04 October, 2012

Though the general mood is that BJP will win the assembly elections in both the states, but analysts are keeping a close watch on the margin with which it rides back to power since that will describe the trends for the forthcoming Lok Sabha elections.

ONLY YESTERDAY, the chief election commissioner announced polling dates for Gujarat and Himachal Pradesh assembly elections. The code of conduct has also come into effect.

Each candidate is now supposed to open a separate bank account exclusively to maintain the details of the expenses incurred during this time. It will also reflect the incoming transactions and source too. But how far our election commission will monitor these accounts is an million dollar question, but I as an individual have serious doubts.

Presently both the states are governed by BJP. Now it will be a close battle between BJP and UPA. In fact Sonia Gandhi has already started the UPA's election campaigning from Rajkot. There are couple of other political parties also in the fray, which will do nothing except reducing the margin of BJP and UPA seats.

By December, 18 later this year, the results of both the states are likely to be announced, which will show the general trend for the forthcoming general election, to be held in 2014. BJP is likely to ride back into power in both the states, but the margin with which they win would be important.