Washington: The pundits earlier said Bobby Jindal had no chance of being elected the first Indian- American Governor as he isn't White.

The same pundits, say local newspapers, will now be astonished if the Republican candidate of Indian descent Jindal doesn't secure a runoff spot in tomorrow's (Oct 5) primary.

Thirty-two year old Jindal remains atop the polls, although, being a Republican, he has hardly any Black support.

He has, however, found a way to appeal to the professional and business class, while still throwing meat to the social conservative, observes the local media.

He has promised to introduce education reforms and abolish several state business taxes, which he says have made the state of Louisiana unattractive to industry.

Pollsters in Louisiana believe the two candidates most likely to survive the crowded primary - there are 18 candidates in fray - and meet in a runoff are a dark-skinned son of Indian immigrants and a woman, Democrat Kathleen Blanco the Lieutenant Governor of the state.

"It sends a signal," said Blanco. "People are tired of the politics of the past."

Analysts who once dismissed his campaign as a long-shot now believe the conservative Jindal is likely to earn a spot in the November runoff and a shot at becoming the nation's first Indian American Governor.

If he wins, the nation will be introduced to a Republican face that some believe could become very prominent, the papers said.

PTI