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It's a war of words as net-savvy supporters of the south Mumbai candidates circulate e-mails in favour of their favourite netas   

The battle between Congress MP Milind Deora and Meera Sanyal, an Independent from Mumbai-South is hotting

the big fight: Milind Deora and Meera Sanyal's battle has now entered cyberspace

up, but this time in cyberspace.

With a large part of the electorate being net-savvy, e-mails taking a dig at Sanyal have been doing the rounds. An excerpt from sociologist and professor Nandini Sardesai's e-mail says, "All that Meera might do is get some elite votes and cut into Milind's votes. Is she a plant by the Shiv Sena whose candidate is likely to win in such a scenario?"

An e-mail signed by one Ashita Rajani also targets Meera. It says, "Sanyal is nothing but an elite Mumbaikar and has very thoughtfully decided to plunge into politics at this point when most of the banks are running out of business." (Sanyal is a senior banker by profession.)

However, Sanyal's supporters are not keeping mum. Some Milind-bashing has followed as well. An e-mail signed by one Usha Pandit says, "Young men like Milind should join forces with professionals and stop being stooges of the Congress, BJP, Mayawati-kind of neta groups."

The elite Cricket Club of India (CCI) felt that it was important to get into the Milind vs Meera debate as their club is based in south Mumbai. That's what a website (http://clubino.co.in) says under the title CCI blog. 

One such blog by Jamal Mecklai supports Meera calling her Mumbai chi Meera. An excerpt from Mecklai's blog says, "Did anyone hear Milind's concern when Raj Thackeray's gang was terrorising north Indians? I wonder why? Could it be that it was actually in Milind's interest that the MNS should gain some traction since it would serve to split the Marathi-speaking vote from the Sena? And if a few Biharis or bhaiyyas get hurt, oh well, that's how things work, right?"

Independent ire
Sanyal on splitting votes:
Milind is splitting my votes. It is now a two-way contest. I am not joining any party, I am an Independent candidate and I will be an Independent parliamentarian.

On the PM's remark on Independents:
Political parties have spoilt the system. They have lost market share and failed to deliver or attract the right talent.