The formal position of the Janata Dal (S) is that the party is ready for a poll immediately. In reality, its leaders are hoping that the negative impact of the acrimonious battle for power they had with the BJP is mitigated to some extent and the party’s credibility is salvaged. It is having serious problems keeping its rank and file together.

All in all, Karnataka stands on the cusp of a transition. The 1983 election saw the end of one-party domination. The year 2004 saw the destabilising of a bi-polar electoral competition in the state. Will 2008 create a new bi-polarity or assert a continued multi-polarity? Maybe May will bring the answer. And then, it may not.

The writer is a political scientist based in Bangalore sshastri@eth.net