: Deprived of a candidate due to last minute bungling, BJP and its allies in Nilgiris (SC) constituency are in a dilemma on whom to extend support and are weighing options of NOTA (None Of The Above).
Due to the failure to submit mandatory B form, the nomination of BJP candidate S Gurumurthy was rejected, leaving the fight between AIADMK, DMK, AAP and Congress, the last two expected to play spoilsport.
DMK, who renominated sitting MP, A Raja say they are sure to win the seat if BJP is also in the fray,as it calculates that the saffron party could cut into AIADMK's votes and make the victory easier.
However, the unexpected turn of events has put DMK in a dilemma as it is now not sure which way NDA votes would go.
Though DMK sources claim it would be a cakewalk for Raja, even if BJP was not in the arena, but victory margin is the only concern.
The real dilemma is for NDA allies, including DMDK of Vijayakanth, who had polled 60,000 votes in the last polls, as AIADMK chief Jayalalithaa, of late going hammer and tong against BJP and its prime ministerial candidate Narendra Modi.
BJP and its sympathisers were also irked by the sudden outburst by Tamil Nadu chief minister and decided to not to support AIADMK in the hustings, which otherwise was banking on the major chunk of NDA votes.
Congress has a large number of voters in rural areas, particularly 16 villages, where the entire population wears only Khadi, who are considered a rock solid bank of nearly 80,000 votes.
The new voters, attracted by the perceived Modi wave, and want to see him as PM, also are in a hot spot and have to follow their parents, who prefer Congress, party sources say.
With BJP winning from this constituency in 1998 and 1999, it could be a tough battle between DMK and AIADMK and also NOTA, with a voters of 7.6 lakh.
