In both Haryana and Maharashtra the BJP is likely to rely on the "Modi magic" on which it rode to victory in 2014 and 2019 national polls, a hallmark of which was aggressive campaigning by the PM. Opposition hopes the "Modi magic" effect has faded over time could be dashed, judging by the ratio of rallies addressed to seats won - in 2014 PM Modi addressed more than 400 rallies and the BJP won 282 seats. Five years later he addressed only 144 rallies but the BJP claimed 303 seats.

The BJP, which made the withdrawal of Article 370 from Jammu and Kashmir a poll issue during national elections, followed through with that promise last month. The party is likely to bank on that decision to collect votes in both states. PM Modi has already set the tone in that regard, raising the issue in Nashik and Rohtak, where he spoke of his vision for Jammu and Kashmir - one that embraces Kashmir and recreate it as the "paradise" it once was. However, Congress leader Kapil Sibal has warned the BJP the opposition will not play ball and will, instead, focus on issues like unemployment and agrarian crisis.

The 'Triple Talaq' bill is another key piece of legislation that could prove influential. The contentious bill was passed after a heated debate in parliament that witnessed walkouts by two key BJP allies - Nitish Kumar's Janata Dal (United) and Tamil Nadu ruling party AIADMK. Haryana is one of several states, including Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh, to make prompt use of the law.

Another issue likely to be key is the NRC exercise that was recently completed in Assam. Political leaders in both Haryana and Maharashtra have called for similar citizenship verification drives, with Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar among those. On Wednesday, Home Minister Amit Shah insisted NRC would be applied across the country and, as such, the topic is likely to feature in the BJP's campaign.

This will also be the first election since Rahul Gandhi stepped down as Congress president. The Congress, now under the interim leadership of former president Sonia Gandhi, has struggled to impose itself after two successive disastrous performances in national polls. Coupled with a raft of defections of leaders in both Haryana and Maharashtra, the Congress needs inspiration and an identity if it is to compete with the BJP juggernaut. With that in mind, Ms Gandhi's return may be used by the BJP; while campaigning for national polls PM Modi regularly criticised the Congress for failing to look beyond the Nehru-Gandhi dynasty.