Five states will go to the polls this year, which automatically means five times the almost Wodehousian pre-election events played out.  Predictably, poll promises are offering the sky to voters.

A report in this paper spoke about the All India Trinamool Congress in West Bengal promising ration at people’s doorsteps, and R1,000 to all widows in the state, while the BJP has promised road projects worth Rs 1 lakh-crore.