The countdown has begun for the crucial elections to the general Assembly elections in the five states of Uttar Pradesh, Punjab, Uttarakhand, Goa and Manipur. The biggest battle of them all is of course in Uttar Pradesh, which is being billed as a litmus test for Rahul Gandhi and the Congress. The electoral fight is also crucial for the Samajwadi Party that is fighting for its sheer survival after having had a poor run in the last elections. For Chief Minister Mayawati and her party the test is to override the incumbency factor.