We are now firmly on the road to 2019. A day after the by-poll results, which came as a shot in the arm for the opposition, the Congress today tied up with the JDS for the Lok Sabha polls. Party leaders have also begun informal consultation with Mayawati's BSP in three key states where assembly polls are being held later this year - Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh and Rajasthan. What the by-poll results proved was that the only effective way for the opposition to defeat the BJP is to come together so that their votes are not divided. And over the next few months, several alliances and formations across states are emerge. The question is - can this opposition resolve hold for another year? Or will inherent contradictions tear them apart?