Ruling Congress Party Wins Indian Election

Governing Congress-led coalition headed for major victory

By Rob Quinn, Newser Staff

Posted May 16, 2009 4:55 AM CDT

(Newser) – India's main opposition party has conceded defeat to the ruling Congress-led alliance, CNN reports. The governing coalition—defying predictions the elections would end without a clear winner—was heading for a decisive victory as counting continued today. "We respect this mandate and accept it," said the leader of the Hindu nationalist Bharatiya Janata Party.

"The results are pleasantly surprising," said the leader of the left-of-center Congress coalition. "We were not so confident at the beginning but now we are very confident and we will secure a majority." Rahul Gandhi of the Nehru-Gandhi political dynasty is credited with helping Congress make gains, and many speculate that he will soon replace Manmohan Singh as prime minister.

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Congress party supporters celebrate with colored powder in front of the residence of their local party leader Mamata Banerjee in Calcutta today. (AP Photo/Sucheta Das)

Congress party supporters with party flags celebrate news of early election result trends in New Delhi, India, today. (AP Photo/Manish Swarup)

Bharatiya Janata Party leader Arun Jaitley clears his throat before addressing a press conference in New Delhi, India, today. (AP Photo/Gurinder Osan)

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I think if Congress wants to compliment some of its leaders in this hour of victory, I think they're entitled to do so. - Senior BJP leader Arun Jaitley

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Ruling Congress Party Wins Indian Election