Third eye: Ajit Pawar's plan, Yogi's prestige issue & relief for K'taka BJP

Keeping powder dry
Nearly 20 office-bearers, including corporators, belonging to Ajit Pawar-led NCP joining Sharad Pawar's NCP-SP is seen by many in Maharashtra politics as a curtain raiser before the real pre-poll strike by the 83-year-old never-say-die Maratha strongman. Sharad Pawar choosing Pimpri-Chinchwad for triggering the first exodus is seen as deliberate as the area is widely seen among the strongest turf of Ajit Pawar. The upcoming strikes could see many senior leaders of Ajit Pawar's party, including MLAs and some state ministers, crossing over. Given that Ajit Pawar is an acknowledged political acrobat, what he will plan for himself and where that will land BJP before polls is also being animatedly discussed.

Not Just Byelections
Assembly byelections are not taken very seriously by any government that has a safe majority in the House. However, after BJP's lacklustre performance in UP in the recent Lok Sabha polls, chief minister Yogi Adityanath has made it a prestige issue to wrest all the 10 MLA seats going for bypolls. Some ministers and senior leaders given charge of the seats are spending a lot of time at ground zero. CM himself may campaign which is not the norm in bypolls.

Moment of Relief
After the election of BJP leader Kota Srinivas Poojary to Lok Sabha, Karnataka's legislative council has been without the leader of Opposition. BJP leaders do not think the 'indecision' will end soon as it took six months to name an Opposition leader in the assembly last year. The ruling Congress, battling a slew of scams, of course is not complaining.