Meiyang Chang, the last of the three contestants from Dhanbad for reality show Indian Idol. Picture by Gautam Dey

Dhanbad, Aug. 26: With the elimination of Meiyang Chang on Saturday evening, the voting fever in the state has come to a halt and so has the dream of local talent making it to the grand finale of Indian Idol.

The combination of Chinese looks and Hindi diction won millions of hearts but could not save the last hopeful contestant from Dhanbad. Reason: Shortfall of SMS votes.

And incidentally it happened a day after an official from the local chamber of commerce appealed for support for Chang through SMS votes to keep his banner flying high. Many campaigns were also organised to vote for the contestants.

Gaichen Chang, Meiyang Chang’s mother, however, hinted that Puja Chatterjee was eliminated consecutively after Abhishek Kumar.

“Though we are optimistic, we do not know what the public will do. Had he received enough votes, he would not have been in the danger-zone. It proves that he is not getting sufficient support,” she said.

As far as votes from the coal belt are concerned, parents of all the three contestants believe that it was not all that mattered. It is the bulk from across the country that counted, they have said on separate occasions.

Support that Dhanbad and Jharkhand could not have been more, but votes from people across the country should have added up, Abhishek’s parents said.

For Chang, the Indian Idol journey was simply a chance. “He is a bathroom singer, a habit he picked up from his father. He neither has a classical base nor any formal training. He only took a chance and tried his luck. He was nervous and confused when he found so many singers around him,” his mother said.

He had become a qualified dentist before entering the contest. He was unsure of his future plans if he became the next Indian Idol. But after his exit from the competition, Chang’s parents say they would support him in whichever field he chooses — either his qualified profession or music.

With the participation of Chang, Puja and Abhishek, Dhanbad has carved a position for itself on the national platform. Known for coal, crime and Mafiosi, it has earned a name for singing talents, too.