Anita Katyal for rediff.com: If the poll surveys pointing to a near-whitewash for the Congress in the five assembly elections is any indication, the United Progressive Alliance government it heads will find it increasingly difficult to govern, as it will now have to contend with an aggressive opposition and far more assertive allies.

The Congress-led UPA government will feel the immediate effect of the election results in the winter session of Parliament which opens on Thursday.

The confrontation between the ruling alliance and the principal opposition party, the Bharatiya Janata Party will escalate next week after the declaration of the election results on December 8.

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