From tea-stalls to drawing rooms, politics reigns supreme

"It has never happened before that women, who usually love gossiping or talking about their daughters-in-law or food, are now discussing the future of the country. In fact, the other day, a new person had joined our party. Instead of talking about herself, she was busy airing her political views.

Politics has certainly become an ice-breaker between strangers," Kaushal, a grandmother of two, told IANS.

She said the talk in kitty parties is increasingly on politics and the coming elections.

Sachin Sharma, who works for an NGO, said he mostly travels by the Metro, and on many occasions in buses, and is surprised when random strangers start talking about politics.

"I will say the poll fever has touched the common man too. Imagine, it is like a discussion on the weather. I am surprised when people air their political views so openly. In a way it is good that more and more people want to be part of the election process. It speaks well of India as the world's largest democracy," Sharma added.