While the Left's performance in the industrial districts of Howrah, Hooghly and 24-Parganas was a cause for concern, its victories in less urbanised areas like Egra, Islampur and Kulti did not bring much cheer as the votes polled were less than 50 per cent in several areas. In some places, even the BJP was ahead in terms of votes polled. Argues a poll analyst: "The phenomenon is peculiar. Earlier, the Congress' support base was only in the urban areas like greater Calcutta and Howrah. But now, the urban middle class' disenchantment with the Front seems to have infected the suburbs and even the rural areas. This, despite the marked improvement in the living standards of the people in villages. By the early '80s, Midnapore town boasted of air-conditioned bars, and now, the affluent farmers send their children abroad for higher education. If, despite this, the Left's vote begins to decline, it represents a major crisis in its image projection." But if the CPI(M) is suffering from a fit of nerves, the Congress has failed to capitalise on it and is still fighting its internal battles. Says an observer: "The Congress has not yet named its candidates but supporters of rival groups are squabbling over wall space in several areas of the city. The Mamata Banerjee group is at loggerheads with the Somen Mitra camp. The people have been looking for an effective opposition for years in vain. What is the guarantee that 1996 will be any different?"