U.P. Has SPoken

Big Winners

Mulayam and Akhilesh:

Mulayam has virtally written off but has bounced back, Thanks in large part to his son Akhilesh, who has helped overcome has helped SP overcome perception of being a patron of goons.

Badals

The Father and son duo of Prakash and Sukhbir pulled off a historic win, defying the “revolving door” of Punjab politics where power changes hands every 5 years. Their bold experiment of moving away from politics has moved away from politics focused on identity, an issue of Sikhs has paid off.

Manohar Parrikar

Has won big in small state. The IIT- Bombay graduate has to set to become Goa CM for the second time after his previous term ended in 2005. Has an opportunity to deliver in a state where governments are held to ransom by factions. A four-time MLA, he shrewdly changed BJP’s dependence on a polarized vote.

BIG LOSERS

MAYAWATI

Came to power with enormous goodwill in 2007 but frittered it away thanks to graft and obsession with statuses. Has retained her core base and remains SP’s principal challenger. But will now be forced to cooperate more closely with congress.

Rahul Gandhi

Emerged as dogged campaigner, even he has appeared too angry. His taking responsibility for the part’s defeat in UP was graceful. But coming after Bihar, the UP debacle will still raise the question: Is Really a vote catcher?

DIGVIJAYA SINGH

 His strident campaign for Batla house encounter victims and his pitch for a Muslim quota in UP are said to have driven the Hindu upper caste to BJP, But might live to fight another day thanks to Rahul’s backing.

BITTER SWEET

MANMOHAN SINGH

The poor showing by the congress won’t strengthened the government, but the setback for Rahul will ensure the PM can hope to finish his tenure without loud cries of “Rahul lao, desh bachao”. On course to be only person outside Nehru – Gandhi family to serve two full straight terms as PM.

BC KHANDURI

Had  just a few months to turn around what seemed a lost cause for BJP in Uttrakhand. His hard work and clean image helped party, but khanduri lost his own election from Kotdwar. There are murmers that this may have been due to subotage from some of his own partymen.

NITIN GADKARI

BJP in UP took away credit from the man who backed Khanduri's recall as Uttrakhand CM and Goa  unit's successful idea of giving ticket's to chritians. The results may be a mixed bag for BJP, but they mark the party's first tentative steps towards the post Vajpayee-advani era.