The big six faces of parties this poll season - Times of India

Prithviraj Chavan: Mr Teflon delighted Congressmen and surprised his Shiv Sena-BJP rivals by doing a neat job of electioneering. Trekked through Mumbai's lanes and gullies, gearing up the party, giving a leg-up to the Congress candidates amidst a galloping anti-incumbency sentiment. Targeted Narendra Modi, lambasted the BJP for its divisive politics. Never once caught with his foot in the mouth during the five-week-long campaign. The only state Congress honcho to figure in the party's ad campaign for the electronic media--his curly lock perched precariously on the forehead.

Sharad Pawar: Elections bring out the best in Maharashtra's Great Helmsman, say observers. Although his party is on a stick wicket, thanks to the anti-incumbency wave, Pawar, 70-something, captained the NCP's poll campaign with gusto, peppering his speeches with one-liners delivered with a poker face--for instance, he called Shiv Sena president 'uddhat' (reckless), playing upon the former's first name, Uddhav. The NCP chief landed in trouble, albeit briefly, with his remark about double voting. He promptly regretted the gaffe. Some say Pawar met Modi; according to some, Modi met Pawar. Created a stir in the last phase of electioneering by staying away from Rahul Gandhi's Mumbai conclave last Sunday.

Uddhav Thackeray: Overcame factionalism, dissension and defections to meet the poll challenge in the post-Balasaheb era. Sometimes petulant, sometime tough, Uddhav succeded in extracting an assurance from the BJP that it will not be faithless with the Sena following Nitin Gadkari's overtures to the MNS. Uddhav showed a measure of spunk, say Sainiks--for instance, he had a spat with his cousin, took on Pawar, stitched up new alliances, praised Narendra Modi, even while allowing Saamna to take occasional jibes at the NDA's PM pick. On the poll results hinge the Sena's future in Mumbai, say political pundits.

Raj Thackeray: Raj's closed-door parleys with Nitin Gadkari was a coup of sorts. The Shiv Sena almost burst its blood vessel, when the MNS chief, reportedly at the BJP's behest, fielded MNS nominees against 10 Sena candidates, leaving out the BJP fiefdoms. The 'chicken soup for chacha' was Raj's worst soundbyte, say poll experts. He hopped around the state, addressing 33 poll conclaves. Raised the Marathi card in his last poll meeting in Lalbaug in an attempt to ingratiate himself to the Marathi 'manoos' in what is being seen as preparation for the state assembly polls.

Narayan Rane: Remained confined to Kankavali, in Konkan, to fortify son Nilesh's poll prospects, what with the NCP openly revolting against the father. Rane fumed and fretted, but within the four walls of his Kankavali bungalow. In public meetings, he wore a calm look, surprising close aides and supporters. The senior Congress minister came into his own while campaigning in other parts of the state after wrapping up Nilesh's election.

Gopinath Munde: To Beed or not to Beed was Munde's dilemma as the NCP pulled out all stops to close in on Sharad Pawar's arch political rival in Beed, the former's Lok Sabha constituency. Add to this, a petulant nephew teaming up with the Pawar party to settle old family scores. Unfazed, Chacha Munde hopped around the state, after the polling in Beed was over on April 17, canvassing support for saffron candidates. Got Raju Shetty and Mahadeo Jankar in the Sena-BJP alliance, a well-thought exercise in social engineering. Succeded in persuading the party's central leadership to field Poonam Mahajan, his wife's niece and the late Pramod Mahajan's daughter, from Mumbai north central. His supporters say Munde will find a berth in the Union cabinet, should the BJP's slogan, 'Ab ki baar, Modi sarkar' come true.