I have to keep reminding myself that such once stalwart Congressmen as B.P. Maurya, Mani Shankar Aiyar,Ranga Kumaramangalam and Aslam Sher Khan have left the fold. On the other hand, Madhavrao Scindia, who fought the last election against the Congress party, is now spoken of as its best bet for prime minister. As for the outgoing prime minister, I.K. Gujral—the leader of a 'stop the BJP' alliance—he's now standing for Parliament with the backing of one of the BJP's principal allies.