Jayalalithaa as kingmaker?

Modi, son of a tea-stall owner who rose steadily through party ranks, has been chief minister of thriving Gujarat state for the past dozen years.

Rahul Gandhi, who headed a lacklustre campaign for Congress which has held power for a decade, has denied that his party is staring at almost certain defeat -- despite voter unhappiness at a sharply slowing economy and widespread corruption.

Gandhi, scion of the powerful Nehru-Gandhi dynasty which has produced three prime ministers, was derided throughout the campaign by Modi as a reluctant "shehzada" (prince).

Regional parties hinted they might join Modi's coalition after the final results are declared.

Attention was specially focused on the powerful AIADMK party headed by J. Jayalalithaa that rules the southern state of Tamil Nadu and is expected to win about 20 seats in the national parliament.

K. Malaisamy, a senior AIADMK leader, said Modi "is a great friend of Jayalalithaa" even if "they may differ politically".

"If he becomes prime minister, then madam (J. Jayalalithaa) would like close ties,"  Malaisamy told NDTV.

Jayalalithaa, a former movie star, was more circumspect, telling reporters: "Let's wait for the results."

Regional parties often bargain hard for cabinet portfolios or special financial assistance in return for supporting a national government.

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