Four of six elections - Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh and Delhi -- will be a straight battle between Congress and BJP, votes largely devoid of the strong regional parties.

Kashmir, facing its biggest anti-India protests in years, also faces a vote that will test the Indian government's claim on the disputed region, while in Mizoram, a local regional party is fighting Congress.

It's all in the timing

The elections could influence the general election timing. If Congress does well, the government may use the momentum to call early elections in February. A poor showing could see the government wait until April or May, the end of its term.

Whoever does best in the states may find it easier to secure alliances with regional parties before the general election, crucial when either side build a post-election coalition.

"Naturally, everyone loves a winner," said political analyst Amulya Ganguli. "It will all help coalition building.

The BJP faces a tough challenge in states where it is the incumbent -- Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh and Rajasthan. Incumbents in India often do badly in elections, and when the BJP held on to Gujarat earlier this year, it was a huge morale boost.

Congress hopes to reverse recent state election defeats with this incumbent factor.

Congress is also strong in Delhi, with a chief minister who gained some plaudits with projects like an expanding metro as the capital prepares for the 2010 Commonwealth Games.

Chhattisgarh, one of the states most hit by Maoist rebels, could test whether voters punish Congress on what many Indians see as lax security policies, or punish the incumbent BJP.

... contd.