Talk of “Operation Maharashtra” has begun in the Congress circles after the debacle in the local body elections and the Mumbai corporation polls.

Talk of an AICC reshuffle has begun in party circles, suggesting that it could be done after the Uttar Pradesh Assembly elections.

The AICC will take “corrective” steps keeping in mind the 2014 Lok Sabha and the Maharashtra Assembly polls, an indication in this regard was given by the party against the backdrop of the Maharashtra local body election results.

Regional parties NCP, Shiv Sena and the MNS continued to dominate power politics in Maharashtra, as seen in the local body elections where two national parties, the Congress and the BJP, are in no position to check them. These elections could boost the morale of the regional parties in the current electoral battle for the UP Assembly.

The process of political realignment could begin in Maharashtra after the 10 municipal corporation elections, including the prestigious Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation.
The main Opposition Shiv Sena-BJP combine will be compelled to review its strategy and take corrective steps if the Congress-NCP combine wins these elections.

The “Rahul factor” is virtually compelling political parties to a regime change. While over half a dozen regional parties, including Samajwadi Party, DMK, NCP, Shiromani Akali Dal, Janata Dal (S), RLD, LJP and the Shiv Sena, have started projecting their future leaders, the BSP, the AIADMK and the Janata Dal (U) have yet to make up their mind on this issue.

With Gujarat due to hold Assembly elections by the end of this year, chief minister Narendra Modi - a possible BJP prime ministerial candidate - is likely to be AICC general secretary Rahul Gandhi’s m

With Gujarat due to hold Assembly elections by the end of this year, chief minister Narendra Modi — a possible Bharatiya Janata Party prime ministerial candidate — is likely to be All-India Congress C

Even as Uttar Pradesh is an issue in the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation elections, prominent Maharashtra leaders are not visible in the campaigning for the crucial UP Assembly polls.

The government will take up the controversial Lokpal and Lokayuktas Bill, 2011 for the consideration in Rajya Sabha during the second part of the Budget Session.