Bobby Jindal is flying high, literally

Piyush 'Bobby' Jindal, the Republican frontrunner in the election for the Louisiana governor slated for Saturday, is flying high ahead of the election that can make him the first Indian American chief executive of a state.

On the last day before the primary, Jindal, 32, flew over the state in a small rented plane with wife Supriya to meet with supporters and prospective voters.

Also see: Bobby Jindal's first test on Saturday

Jindal has conducted his electoral campaign for Louisiana governor for the past six months by driving up from one place to another, but on Friday he could not have driven down.

"We had rallies in nine cities across the state on the last day before the election and there was no way he could have made it by driving," an aide to Jindal told rediff.com. "We had to cover as much area as we could."

Shown in polls as the frontrunner in the race that has 17 other candidates, Jindal started his day at 7 am with an appearance at KPEL studios for the morning show.

The Jindals ended their day at around 10 pm Friday after crisscrossing the state stopping at nine places.

The 32-year-old Oxford graduate and a former assistant secretary in the Bush administration is believed to be a favourite among the three other GOP candidates running for the election.

Born to Hindu parents, Jindal converted to Christianity in his teens.

"We had a great response today as in the past," the aide said. "He is in the first place (but) we have to make sure that
voters turn out tomorrow."

He has raised $1.5 million for his campaign and has the support of the incumbent Republican governor.

"We have a lot of support from the incumbent governor and Congressmen. We have got their endorsements certainly," Jindal said in an interview with India Abroad, an Indian American weekly owned by rediff.com.

Wherever Jindal went on Friday, he did only one thing. "He just inspired volunteers and supporters to ensure that people go to cast their votes tomorrow,' the aide said.