Karnataka, one of the three states where the Congress is still in power, votes on Saturday, with the party trying to retain power in the face of a stiff challenge from the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), which is in power in 20 states, either by itself or along with allies.
The Janata Dal (Secular), the third corner of this three-cornered fight, will be hoping to get enough seats to do what it has done best in the past — punch above its weight.
A forecast of unseasonal rains accompanied by thunder and lightning, especially in southern and coastal parts of the state, is a worry for all parties.
If the forecast comes true, its impact on the turnout — and, therefore, the outcome — will preoccupy all the contenders. Karnataka has 50.6 million eligible voters.
In the last assembly election in 2013, voter turnout was a high 71.45%.
The Congress has built its campaign around chief minister Siddaramaiah and the achievements of his government, including his welfare measures.
The state government’s move to recognise Lingayats as a religious minority was attacked by the opposition as a move to divide the community with the elections in mind, as was a decision to notify an official state flag.
The BJP has projected former chief minister BS Yeddyurappa as its chief ministerial candidate, and has brought back into the fold dissidents who had quit the party ahead of the 2013 polls, as it attempts to increase its tally from 40 in the previous elections. Tickets have also been given to close aides and family members of mining baron, G Janardhan Reddy, a move that has been criticised.
The JD(S), which has projected HD Kumaraswamy as its leader, has struck up alliances with the Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP), the Telangana Rashtra Samiti (TRS) and the Majlis Ittehadul Muslimeen, and has pitched itself as the standard bearer of a regional party that is battling national opponents.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has addressed 26 rallies in the state, while Congress president Rahul Gandhi has held more than 40 rallies and conducted many more road shows. BJP president Amit Shah has addressed over 70 rallies and has stayed in the state for the past two weeks to oversee the campaign. BSP chief Mayawati also held a few rallies.
Except for two constituencies, voting will begin at 7 am on Saturday and end at 6 pm. The results will be out on May 15.