The Congress is confident of forming governments in Assam and Kerala and expects to join a Mamata Banerjee-led government in West Bengal.
The feedback from the five states, after the voting, is encouraging for the Congress Party. Barring Tamil Nadu, the reports from Assam, Kerala, West Bengal and even Puducherry are on the expected lines, well placed sources said here on Tuesday night.
In that scenario, Assam chief minister Tarun Gogoi could get a third term like Delhi chief minister Sheila Dikshit. But in Kerala, the race could be between Mr Oomeen Chandy and the PCC chief Ramesh Chnnithala. However, party insiders are not ruling out a surprise element in the election of a new CLP leader.
The election in these states were fought against the backdrop of corruption, price rise, dynasty and incumbency. But the anti-incumbency factor seems to have worked in West Bengal and Kerala.
Meanwhile the talk of chintan shivir (brain storming session) has begun in the Congress circles. Though its dates and a venue has not yet been announced, insiders said it could be held in Rajasthan for three days.
Normally, such sessions are not held shortly after the AICC plenary. This is because issues of national importance are discussed in the plenary sessions.
The AICC plenary session held at Burari in Delhi in December 2010 spelt out the party’s stand on the corruption issue and its ideological, political rival, the BJP and the Sangh Parivar.
It was in the same session, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh announced to appear before the Public Accounts Committee if it wanted.