Bahujan Samaj Party
- Stronghold: Uttar Pradesh
- Prospects: Can Mayawati retain the magic, or will she be hit by anti-incumbency? If she improves tally, she will be kingmaker. The ’08 N-deal vote days were a sampler.
- Seats won in 2004: 19
- Voteshare: 5.3%
All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam
- Stronghold: Tamil Nadu
- Prospects: After the total wipeout in ’04, Jayalalitha's party should do better. However the DMK-Congress side cannot be written off. For the record, the AIADMK is with the Third Front. But no one's betting on how long her party will remain there.
- Seats won in 2004: 0
- Voteshare: 2.19%
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Samajwadi Party
- Stronghold: Uttar Pradesh
- Prospects: Its alliance with the Congress is in a mess. If Mulayam repeats 2004, he may have a crucial role to play in Delhi.
- Seats won in 2004: 36
- Voteshare: 4.32%
Telangana Rashtra Samithi
- Stronghold: Andhra Pradesh
- Prospects: Has tied up with TDP/TF. Post-poll, Chandrashekhara Rao can go anywhere.
- Seats won in 2004: 5
- Voteshare: 0.63%
Marumalarchi Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam
- Stronghold: Tamil Nadu
- Prospects: Is with the AIADMK. But can take an independent line when it comes to supporting a government at the Centre.
- Seats won in 2004: 4
- Voteshare: 0.43%
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People’s Democratic Party
- Stronghold: J&K
- Prospects: Given the popularity of the NC government, may not improve on 2004 tally.
- Seats won in 2004: 1
- Voteshare: 0.07%
Pattali Makkal Katchi
- Stronghold: Tamil Nadu
- Prospects: Karunanidhi and Jayalalitha are both wooing it. May finally opt for a post-poll alliance of convenience.
- Seats won in 2004: 6
- Voteshare: 0.56%
Praja Rajyam Party
- Stronghold: Andhra Pradesh
- Prospects: Actor Chiranjeevi's party has not contested an election. But there is a buzz about him given the crowds he draws at rallies. No one can quite predict whether this turnout will translate into votes.
Desiya Murpokku Dravida Kazhagam
- Stronghold: Tamil Nadu
- Prospects: Actor Vijaykanth’s party has never contested a Lok Sabha election. Is being wooed by the Congress.