The BJP has huge stakes in four of the five States where Assembly elections would be held from November 11.
The party sees it not only as a ‘mini-general election’ but hopes to make the most of the outcome. Of the five States, it fancies its chances in Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh and Rajasthan.
BJP leaders concede that it would be a tough fight in Delhi due to intense factionalism within the State unit coupled with the charisma of Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit who would be seeking a third term.
A senior BJP leader said that entry of the Aam Aadmi Party, led by Arvind Kejriwal, has made it tougher for the party as the AAP may cut into its vote by garnering anti-incumbency votes.
The elections would in a way test the popularity of BJP’s prime ministerial candidate Narendra Modi, particularly in Delhi, where the party is faced with several odds.
