The Congress party has once again witnessed a really lousy day in the electoral history of India. After its humiliation in May, it has been humbled beyond doubt by the voters of Maharashtra.

In the Maratha State, the Grand Old Party is at No. 4 position. "Imagine this happening to a party that ruled the State for 15 years. Even NCP is ahead of it. And, outsmarting everyone, the NDA has retained power. This is big," says a commentator.

"The Maharashtra defeat is not small. It's not an Uttar Pradesh where Congress was weakened in the 1990s. It was strong until a few years ago. And today, thanks to the BJP-Shiv Sena juggernaut, it has been reduced to No. 4," another observer says.

The only relief is Haryana, where the Congress party hasn't performed that badly. It has effectively challenged the ruling BJP. In UP bypolls, it has flopped decisively.

