New Delhi, Feb 27 (UNI) Reflecting the waning popularity of the UPA in the wake of the runaway inflation, the Congress governments appeared set to be dislodged in Punjab and Uttarakhand while the party appeared ahead of its rivals in Manipur as the results in the assembly elections in three states went more or less on the expected lines today.

It was the magic of Prakash Singh Badal in Punjab yet again as the Akali Dal-BJP combine headed for a landslide victory in the state, to throw out the Capt. Amarinder Singh-led Congress regime In the young state of Uttarakhand, the BJP was all set to return to power, having established a clear lead over the ruling Congress, which was beset with many a problem, including the regular verbal spat between Chief Minister N D Tiwari and his bete noire Harish Rawat.

Manipur provided some comfort to the Congress with the party appearing ahead of its rivals as counting in the assembly elections progressed slowly.

The outcome of the assembly polls is certainly not good news for the Congress which is not only finding the going tough in grappling with inflation but also on the Ottavio Quattrocchi issue.

With the elections in Uttar Pradesh round the corner, political analysts say the Congress will have to pull up its socks and stitch alliances if it is serious about putting up a fight.

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