Mulayam, a la Beckham

With the BJP doing a kiss-and-tell on its secret talks with Mulayam and the Muslim community demanding an explanation from their 'netaji,' the parallel with the Loos-Beckham-Posh Spice love triangle can hardly be missed, says The Indian Express.

Bandit Queen's husband continues fight

Umedh Singh Kashyap, Phoolan Devi's 44-year-old second husband, accompanied her often on her election campaign in Basti in UP; he is now reaching out to her caste members, albeit with variations in speech, reports The Telegraph.

Siwan MP a literary critic!

Mohammed Shahabuddin is known for many things, but in an interview with The Times of India we also get to know his views on Arundhati Roy's God of Small Things: 'It contains a juicy story about illicit relationship of the author's parents. And the other part of the book deals with her escapades. I wonder how such books get international recognition and awards. The book has all the elements to corrupt young minds.'

Baalu in trouble

The DMK's T R Baalu has declared moveable assets in his two wives' names, which an Independent candidate seized on and brought to the returning officer's notice. However, the RO has ruled that the affected party could move the court with an election petition after the polls, reports The Asian Age.

On Laloo trail

Holding a dummy battery operated EVM in his hand the RJD chief began: 'Look this is the machine. On no 3 is the lantern symbol. Beside that is the blue button. You have to press the blue button and the machine will make a sound: peeennn…' The Deccan Herald follows the RJD leader as he weaves his magic in Chapra.

Paswan does a Dharmendra

If the BJP candidate from Bikaner left out his second wife's name, the LJP candidate from Hajipur has not mentioned his first wife's name in his nomination papers, reports The Statesman.

Capital needs star power

With the initial round of campaigning over, both the Congress and BJP candidates now await some star turn, reports The Hindustan Times. And star-spangled functions and rallies by top leaders are set to add intensity to the capital's election scene over the next few days.