Even as 'Sa Re Ga Ma Pa L'IL CHAMPS' director Gajendra Singh strongly defended the practice of 'Public Vote' in the popular singing contest, one of the three judges and eminent playback singer Alka Yagnik regretted the loss of Pavni and Abhrokanti -- the two ''strongest'' contenders of the contest.

''Abhro and Pavni were the strongest among the six finalists, but it is painful that they have been eliminated by public vote, which at times votes for sympathy and not merit,'' maintained Alka Yagnik, denying any rift between the three judges Abhijeet, Bappi Lahiri and her.

''Many a time people have come to me asking me to help Diwakar Sharma to win the contest, as he is blind. But they fail to understand that their sympathy is killing talent,'' she added yesterday.

''I am not for or against anyone personally, but both me and Abhijeetji still feel the pain emanating from the elimination of Abhro and Pavni, the two promising contestants,'' she maintained.

The director of the show Gajendra Singh, whose association with ZEE TV dates back to the successful Close Up Antakshari, however, backed the policy of public vote.

''It is the public which makes the singers and hence public vote is thoroughly justified. It is the performance of the D'day and not the bagful of A+ earned in previous episodes that made the public show doors to Pavni and Abhrokanti,'' claimed Singh.

He, however, maintained that all six finalists, besides Neha from Allahabad, stand equal chance of making it big in playback singing.

His feeling was seconded by Alka, who also foresaw a bright future for these singing prodigies.