The formation of the Federal Front has put the regional satraps in the forefront again. A few setbacks suffered by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in the bypolls, a decline in Modi’s popularity ratings and desertion of NDA by allies have given a boost to the sulking confidence of the Opposition. The man, who at once was at the forefront in the race to lead any such alliance, Nitish Kumar, must be ruing his decision to go back to the NDA last year.