His absence from the campaign may be a part of the Congress party's strategy but many in Gujarat missed that colourful leader from Bihar - Railway Minister Lalu Prasad.

People may or may not vote for the party he campaigns, but his past rallies in the state were well attended as he held the audiences spellbound with his earthly wit and humour.

Many voters, particularly from working class areas of Ahmedabad and Vadodara, could be seen asking Congress functionaries at rallies: when is Lalu Prasad coming for the campaign?

Well, there is always another chance.