Five years since the Modi wave swept away the opposition, things have changed for the country's politicians. In the coming summer, the people's court will again give its verdict. The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-led government in Maharashtra will complete its term and face elections. A fractured mandate has been predicted even as the BJP claims to be in a position to reclaim the previous numbers. But a buoyed opposition is all set to queer the BJP's pitch, getting like-minded parties together. And yet, some aren't willing to join the Congress because they see regional parties getting a preference over national parties, like in the recent Assembly elections.

#Chal akela, chal akela
If the Sena marches on, can Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) chief Raj Thackeray be far behind? Uddhav Thackeray's estranged cousin has stopped lying low. He is playing his game alone in a tacit understanding with the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) which wants Raj in the united fold. The Congress may not concede as yet. But Raj, alone or together with the united front, should be seen doing some damage to the Sena and BJP, and will win some seats in the Assembly.