Rahul Mahajan Is Favourite

Initially one of the weakest candidates, "Bigg Boss" participant Rahul Mahajan is now the favourite to win the TV show.

Rahul, who is the son of late Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Pramod Mahajan and was arrested on charges of drug possession and consumption in 2006, has become the viewers' unlikely favourite, despite getting off to a slow start.

Rahul is among the six contenders who still remain in the "Bigg Boss" house as the show, which began in August, nears conclusion.

A source said: "Earlier Rahul was seen as one of the weakest candidates. But now no one doubts his chances of winning the television show. He is witty, sharp and now the most popular among housemates as well as in the outside world."

According to sources Rahul's closest contender is model-turned-actor Zulfi Sayed.

Raja Chaudhary, whose only claim to fame is his divorce from television star Shweta Tiwari, and Ashutosh Kaushik, winner of the "MTV Roadies" show, are favourites to battle it out for third and fourth spot.

Former Miss Universe Diana Hayden is seen as the lame duck in the race with hardly any viewers favouring her. But Monica Bedi, former starlet and ex-girlfriend of underworld mobster Abu Salem, is said to have a slim chance.

The source added: "We believe Rahul's political background and controversial past have earned him a lot of publicity.

"The way he has survived five eviction nominations has actually forced people to think that he will not lose because of some backing from outside."

Viewers were really surprised when Debojit Saha, winner of the music reality show "Sa Re Ga Ma Pa" was asked to leave the "Bigg Boss" house two weeks ago.

"We thought Debojit would stay in the house at least till the end because of his large fan following. People often argue that the entire show is stage-managed," says the source.

Sources say people strongly believe "Bigg Boss" will lack spice if Rahul is thrown out of the house.

"Viewers believe that organisers would not take such risk because of TRPs. They say Monica Bedi was brought in only to add spice to the show after the eviction of Payal Rohatgi. Going by this logic, viewers are betting largely on Rahul.

"Their reasons are the same for Ashutosh and Diana. People think 'Bigg Boss' would keep those people in the house who add colour and drama."