The upcoming assembly polls in Uttar Pradesh, Punjab, Goa, Manipur and Uttarakhand is being touted as the semi-final in the run up to 2019 General Elections. Not only this is a chance for PM Modi to banish BJP's political 'vanavas' in Uttar

Pradesh but also re-establish that his magic is intact post the demonetisation fiasco. Though early opinion polls show Congress leading in Punjab, BJP in Uttarakhand and neck-and-neck fight between Samajwadi Party and BJP in Uttar Pradesh it would be unwise to write off other parties - particularly AAP in Punjab, BSP in Uttar Pradesh. The polls would also provide an opportunity for the Congress to win atleast two or three states and improve upon its previous performance in Uttar Pradesh to come up as a strong challenger and rallying force for the opposition against the BJP. The most important question: who has the edge?