Assembly elections are around the corner in five states. Poll alliances are being made, campaigns started and agendas set. In West Bengal, Mamta Banerjee's attempts to form an alliance against the Communist Party of India (Marxist)-led ruling Left Front were unsuccessful. But in Tamil Nadu, the Janata Dal (United) forged an alliance with the Bharatiya Janata Party for the May 8 Assembly poll. Assam will see Prime Minister Manmohan Singh campaign.
Meanwhile, in Bihar, the ruling National Democratic Alliance suffered a setback despite all its four candidates winning the Rajya Sabha elections as the Lok Janshakti Party nominee backed by it was humbled in the polls, in which both Rashtriya Janata Dal candidates triumphed against all odds.
The Election Commission, for its part, has refused to comment on the office of profit issue unless complaints are routed to it by the President or a Governor.
Image: Wall paintings featuring images of politician M Karunanidhi and his family in Chennai. Assembly Elections are due to take place in Tamil Nadu on May 8.
Photograph: Strdel/AFP/Getty Images
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