All news channels are covering Gujarat elections at the moment. Gujarat election dominates the media and who is ahead in the race is the question for the week. The fight is tough but so far the Gujarat CM is definitely ahead of others and seats estimates vary between 80-95 for the BJP and 70-80 for the Congress with 8-12 independents. Narender Modi is the favorite of the locals as he attracts crowds between 10-15,000 on an average in rural areas whilst other BJP leaders struggle with numbers between 500-1,500 and clearly the campaign strategy is based on the personality and performance of the CM. Sonia Gandhi is also working along with Rahul on the campaign for the Congress. Large meetings of both parties are well attended. We will see a tough fight and the results will be decisive as the people of Gujarat are intelligent enough not to depend on individual MLA's and their tantrums for the wrong things. A Congress win if happens will shock the BJP for sure and they will surely get the blow and this can effect the worker and public sentiment on a short term and for both sides the results of the Gujarat election will have a very decisive effect for the future. These results will determine the timing of the next Lok Sabha election in 2008.

The CPIM made a mistake in justifying acts of violence and while much of what they say may be correct few if any would believe them as they lost political credibility by justifying violence. West Bengal has a great future and unlimited opportunities and hopefully the CM will be allowed to pursue his objectives of generating industrial growth within the state. The CPIM may stand a chance as the TC/Congress has failed to offer a stable future and they may get another opportunity to recover political ground in West Bengal.

The Left stand on the nuclear issue reflects the reality of the situation and as the Third front is no longer an immediate option for the future. The SP struggle to keep their relevance in Uttar Pradesh and at the Center and if they combine their numbers with the Left SP has 40MPs and Left has 65 MPs, then they have a chance for a constructive role with the UPA for the future. Mayawati -BSP, J Jayalalitha -AIDMK, Chandra Babu -TDP will all keep their options and alliances open till the end to extract maximum benefit and like the CPIM/SP these three parties can also win a 100 seats between them.

The situation is very fluid as the Congress has the strongest base and may get the largest numbers, they will still be very short of a work-able majority and everyone at this stage is relevant as a future partner. The BJP if they drop numbers can lose their allies to the UPA or to the Third Front and matters will be a little clearer after the results of the Gujarat election.