Key issues in each state

New Delhi: Assembly by-elections are being held in seven states - Assam, Himachal Pradesh, Kerala, Rajasthan, Chhattisgarh, Uttar Pradesh and West Bengal - on Saturday. These are the key issues in each state.

UTTAR PRADSEH

Caste politics: In UP, caste plays a major role in electoral politics. Most of the constituencies going to the polls on Saturday are dominated by Yadavs and Lodhs.

Development: Development at the constituency level is expected to influence the outcome. The Congress has overtly played the development plank.

Rahul Gandhi: All eyes are on UP to see whether the Rahul wave continues. His intense interaction with the people and his call for reverse migration are expected to sway some sections of the voters.

WEST BENGAL

Maoist violence: The Left accuses Trinamool Congress of being hand-in-glove with the Maoists, who have let loose terror in the state. The Trinamool says the Maoists and Marxists are two sides of the same coin.

Parivartan: Change is the slogan of the Opposition in these by-elections in West Bengal. However, the Left is asking a question -- change for better or worse?

HIMACHAL PRADESH

Performance of the government: The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is banking on the performance of the party during the last two years in power in the state. Himachal Pradesh chief minister Prem Kumar Dhumal has appealed to voters to compare the performance of the present BJP government and that of the past Congress, before exercising their franchise.

Development: The ruling BJP has made development the main plank in the Rohru Assembly constituency. The party has accused Union Steel Minister Virbhadra Singh, who represented the seat for 19 years before moving to central politics, of neglecting this constituency.

KERALA

Irregularities in voter list and deployment of central forces:  Electioneering has been unusually hectic, especially in politically volatile Kannur segment with the rivals clashing over a host of issues like irregularities in voters list and deployment of central forces.

RAJASTHAN

Development of tribal community:  The Salumbar assembly constituency is dominated by tribal hence; development of this community is a poll issue. This has traditionally been a Congress stronghold.

Todabhim constituency is dominated by the Meena community. However, in Todabhim Meena vote could be divided because of both, the BJP and the Congress, fielding candidate from the Meena community.

ASSAM

AGP-BJP alliance: Several leaders of Asom Gana Parishad (AGP) have come out against the decision to continue the alliance with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). They say that the AGP's regional character would be lost if it insists on sticking to the saffron party.

As per the seat sharing agreement, the AGP have fielded a candidate in the Dhekiajuli seat, while the BJP is contesting the South Salmara seat.