Prashant Tamang is new Indian Idol | Amit applauds

WINNER ALL THE WAY: Tamang, a constable with Kolkata police, pipped rival Amit Paul in a glittering gala.

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New Delhi: The months turned into weeks, and the weeks turned into days and then, it was all a matter of hours. Prashant Tamang took on Shillong's Amit Paul to be the third Indian Idol on Sunday night.

Minutes before the grand finale of the talent hunt contest Indian Idol began in the Capital on Sunday, fans rooted for their favourites.

But the judges were clear they wanted to see Amit Paul as the new idol.

“I would have preferred Amit Paul,” said lyricist and one of the judges of Indian Idol, Javed Akhtar.

Playback singer and an Indian Idol judge, Alisha Chinai agreed with Javed Akhtar in the choice of the winner. “Amit Paul,” the singer said.

However, another playback singer and also a judge of the talent hunt contest, Udit Narayan said, “Both are equally talented and are winners.”

But the people's verdict was different from that of the judges. Prashant Tamang, a constable in the West Bengal Police, was declared the winner Indian Idol after he pipped his rival Amit Paul in a grand finale.

The decision was swayed by over seven crore votes - sent by people from all over the country - to select India's next singing sensation.

So after a well and truly hard fought battle, it was Prashant Tamang - the underdog - the boy from Darjeeling, who was crowned Indian Idol.

The crown brings with it a lot of perks including a winner’s booty of Rs 1 crore, a year's contract with Sony and a Maruti SX-4.

“I am very happy that I am the Indian Idol today. I always dreamt I will be very famous,” said Prashant.

“He is a very nice guy. I am very happy that he is the Indian Idol,” said Amit Paul.

And as the teary-eyed 24-year-old Tamang thanked his mother and the police force for allowing him to participate in the contest, the hills of his hometown Darjeeling echoed with sounds of jubilation.