Bhupendra Chaubey, an eminent journalist and election analyst, is of the view that the Most Backward Classes and poorest of the poor voters are choosing the BJP this time in States such as Uttar Pradesh.

"Narendra Modi has set a new political narrative through schemes for the poor, such as Awas Yojana (housing), Sadak Yojana (roads), Saubhagya (electricity). I have been to several places in UP and it's difficult to find a place where something concrete is not coming up," Chaubey observes.

What about Yogi Adityanath? "In 2018, it was believed that Yogi had become BJP's liability in the State. That's not so. In any case, this election is about only one man and it's Modi. Seven to eight out of ten people that I meet are talking about Modi. This election is a referendum on him," he adds.

What about the SP-BSP alliance in the State? He suggests that Yadav vote is not transferring fully to the BSP in UP. Says @tweeter_wapsi, "The community may be thinking about 2022. If Maya becomes stronger, Akhilesh won't be the Chief Minister face. So, they want to keep BSP weak."

The analyst says that it would be amazing if BJP wins even 40-50 seats in UP, given the tough fight it has been facing.