Polls: Friday the 13th, but lucky for some

New Delhi: Friday the 13th will be lucky for some. By mid-day, one of the two alliances fighting for power in each of four states and one Union Territory will know whether they’re the lucky one. After months of campaigning in the heat and dust, the contenders will know whether they shall ride in triumph to the seat of government, or slink away to lick their wounds in private.

What a momentous set of victories these will turn out to be. In West Bengal, where every indication – and post-poll survey – suggests that the Mamata Banerjee-led Trinamool Congress-Indian National Congress will romp home to a win thought implausible five years ago, a 34-year-old era will come to an end. After holding on to Writers’ Building in Kolkata ever since 1977, the Left Front will have to make way for the woman who has captured the imagination of voters desperate for change after decades of stagnant life. The celebrations have already begun in Kolkata, and will probably gather momentum as the results confirm voters’ expectations.

In Tamil Nadu, the forecasts are for a narrow victory for the challenger, Jayalalithaa, whose AIADMK is expected to dislodge M Karunanidhi’s DMK after five years. Despite the support of the Congress, and a reasonable record of governance, the DMK is likely to be punished for its connections with corruption, which have stirred and angered not just the state but an entire country. However, surprises may still lie in store, especially for individual candidates, few of whom can expect certain victory for themselves.

The closest contest, however, is expected in Kerala. Known to switch between the leftist LDF and Congress-led UDF every five years, the state hasn’t signalled its intentions clearly enough yet. While it is the UDF’s turn according to history, the LDF may just spring a surprise, riding on the veteran Chief Minister VS Achyuthanandan’s broad shoulders. Ironically, the CPI(M) had originally planned not to field him at all. Just as history is about to be disrupted in the other Left-ruled state, West Bengal, here too it may play a different card. But then again, with surveys making a forecast too close to call, the UDF stands as strong a chance.

In Assam, though, the incumbent, Tarun Gogoi is tipped to lead the Congress home for a second time, with the Opposition in the state not having provided a credible enough challenge.

The votes have been sealed. All that remains now is for the counting to begin in a few hours from now. And for the verdict to be delivered.