While the Congress could only improve its tally marginally, there is a silver lining for the party on three fronts —- it regained its traditional tribal bastion to large extent; it did better on seats where it had no truck with

BJP rebels, and banked on own partymen; and third, it managed to reduce victory margins substantially at

many a place, giving the BJP the jitters.

In good news for the party in the tribal areas, which it had lost post-Godhra, the Congress not only retained Dahod, losing only Randhikpur with a very narrow margin, it made substantial leads in the Panchmahals, Vadodara, Bharuch and even Surat district. However, for the first time, it lost tribal seats in the Dangs district. Overall, of the 26 declared tribal reserved seats, the Congress won 16, in contrast to the 12 last time.

The Congress had fielded veterans in these seats, and it seems to have helped keep the BJP at bay.

The results also prove that rather than banking on BJP rebels, it was sticking with own partymen that paid off for the party. This proved particularly true in Anand and Kheda districts in central Gujarat.

But the heartiest news for the party must have been that it gave the BJP a close run for its money on many seats.

However, the fact that all this only translated into eight additional seats for the party from last time was obviously disheartening.

... contd.