In many ways, it was the much justifiably criticised Arjun Singh-inspiredCongress decision to go it alone with JMM that would seem to be the beginning ofthe end of the UPA hopes in the states of Bihar and Jharkhand. In addition, theNDA could well take some comfort in the fact that despite the abysmal trackrecord of its government, its targetting of union coal and mines minister ShibuSoren on "taint" charges may have helped turn the tables on itsopponents.