New Delhi: The third phase was particularly important day for the BJP where its being tested in the states its in power but the Congress war room is more confident -- hoping for a better performance in BJP ruled states.
Phase III is spread across saffron strongholds. Four men, like regional satraps -- 3 from the BJP -- 1 from NDA -- on the good governance plank -- will dictate the verdict. The BJP assessment for this round is:
- NDA will win 60 seats against 44 in 2004
- Gain in Gujarat, Bihar, UP and Maharashtra
- Suffer very minor losses in MP, and Karnataka
The phase is also Narendra Modi's litmus test. He may not only help Advani's quest for the PM's post but also put himself in the reckoning for 2014.
"It's encouraging. I do calculations but do not share," said Narendra Modi, Chief Minister, Gujarat.
At the party headquarter, the positive war room spin is being openly shared over cups of tea. Poor turn out due to soaring temperature and marriage season is a worry - so appeals to voters are being issued.
With no major setbacks in sight the BJP hopes to win more to emerge as the single largest party. The mood is upbeat -- but one word of caution -- the BJP even if losing usually has the swagger of a winner, Congress even if winning the body language of a loser.
View from Congress war-room
Unlike the earlier two phases, the Congress mood this time round is upbeat hoping to make inroads in some of the BJP's strongholds of Karnataka and Madhya Pradesh and the Left bastion of West Bengal.
In Karnataka Congress is confident of making inroads in what is seen as traditional BJP areas like coastal Karnataka. In MP they hope a lesson has been learnt from the dismal performance in the recent assembly elections, this time they claim it has been a unified fight.
The big hope is in West Bengal where they feel the political alliance will make significant gains in the CPM stronghold.
The Congress war room knows it is a make or break situation for the BJP in this phase and given the encouraging feedback in what is perceived as BJP strongholds the Congress is confident of emerging as the single largest party.
The battle for Bengal has begun and the red bastion has never looked so vulnerable as in these elections.
View from Left war-room
In 2004 the Left had bagged 10 of the 14 seats that went to polls on Thursday but a repeat performance is looking tough.
The grand alliance between Congress and Trinamool has meant a consolidation of the anti-Left votes. Sources in the Congress-Trinamool alliance claim they will get 16-18 seats in the state.
The Left however has a different analysis, their take -- 30 seats - is still down from the 35 seats last time around what they are banking on however is other states like Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu.
"Left has always been there, defacto has now become dejure. Now the polarisation is more clear," said Sitaram Yechury, Politburo Member, CPM.
The Third Front's electoral prospects depend on how well the Left fares but the Left seems confident that more parties will join the front after the elections.