THE dramatic comeback staged by the AIADMK in Tamil Nadu, proving all pre-election surveys and exit polls wrong, is a grim reminder that statistical methods are ineffective in gauging the latent popular mood. A closer scrutiny reveals that the electoral verdict is a combination of history, the anti-incumbency factor and the right alliances. However, the single-most important issue that tilted the scales in favour of the AIADMK-BJP alliance was the serial blasts at Coimbatore days before the state went to the polls.