Darjeeling vs Shillong in Indian Idol's final match

Shillong/Darjeeling,Sep 20 (UNI) The 'Indian Idol' fever has gripped the entire of picturesque Darjeeling in North Bengal and Meghalaya's capital Shillong as people are busy sending SMSs for their favorite singer.

Shillong's Amit Paul and Prasant Tamang of Darjeeling are the duo to have entered the grand finale of this musical talent show in Sony Entertainment Television. On of them would get the title on September 23.

Not only the common man, the politicians and bureaucrats even are cheering and supporting for their own contestant as every shop in the streets of Kurseong, Darjeeling, Gangtok, Shillong, Nonngpoh and Jawai is sponsoring for the duo.

''I have made Amit Paul brand ambassador of Meghalaya. He has brought laurels to the state,'' proudly announced Meghalaya Chief Minister D D Lapang padding that he had recently got a new mobile to SMS for him.

The ministers in Meghalaya are setting up PCOs in their localities so that anyone could easily vote for Amit Paul, he added.

''This was bizzare. Nothing is working at this moment as Amit mania is driving everyone crazy,'' said Marc Marbanianag, a coal trader, who was initially not enthused by the whole thing but fell on line seeing his family members using five mobiles to vote for Amit.

The scenario in hills of Darjeeling is also similar but Prashant is definitely enjoying a better advantage as he is garnering support from Darjeeling, Gangtok, Kolkatta and Kalimpong.

Prasant is basically from Gangtok, settled in Darjeeling and serving with Kolkata police.

Mobile phone service providers have informed that SMSs worth Rs 450,000 were sent every hour from across the state during the last couple of days.

Meanwhile, The local administration in Darjeeling have enforced a ban on sale of liquor from September 22 to 24, apprehending the 'wild parties' among the youngsters if he wins.

UNI