Dark horses in race for Indian PM Vajpayee's job.

(From Agence France Presse)

Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee has held together an unwieldy coalition for nearly five years -- longer than any Indian leader outside the Nehru-Gandhi dynasty -- but a number of dark horses are also in the line-up to lead the world's largest democracy.

As the race for national election starting April 20 enters its final stretch, opinion polls have forecast a second term for Vajpayee, 79. But pundits are also keeping open chances others could grab the top post.

Analysts say there are several scenarios under which the "dark horses" could come into the frame. The key one is if Vajpayee wins and later has to call it a day due to …