A clear win by either national party would grant a larger vision to Karnataka’s governance, instead of getting caught up in this sordid power-play. Uttar Pradesh, long torn by the four-cornered tugs between the SP, BSP, BJP and Congress has given a decisive endorsement to the BSP, finally bringing a measure of stability to governance. So perhaps the battle for Karnataka’s soul might yet yield a clear winner — as Advani said, the state deserves better than to be held hostage by its cynical politics.