Congress Party

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A Very Historic Win in World's Biggest Election

Hindu nationalist Modi will be India's next PM

(Newser) - India's opposition leader Narendra Modi and his party won national elections in a landslide today, driving the long-dominant Congress party out of power in the most commanding victory India has seen in more than a quarter century. The Hindu nationalist Bharatiya Janata Party captured a commanding lead for at...

Indian Stocks Soar 17% on Election Win

Congress victory sends shares soaring; trade suspended

(Newser) - The benchmark Indian stock index soared an unprecedented 17% this morning as investors voiced their resounding approval of the Congress Party's electoral victory. Trading on the Sensex had to be suspended within seconds of opening after a 1,300-point surge; following a two-hour delay, the index jumped again and was...

Indian Ruling Parties Hold Slim Lead

Neither coalition emerges a majority

(Newser) - India's ruling coalition has edged slightly ahead of the Hindu-nationalist opposition, but both alliances are short of a parliamentary majority, Reuters reports. Exit polls following today's conclusion of the month-long general election indicate both political blocs will need new partners, but the surveys have proved inaccurate in the past. Official...

World's Biggest Democracy Goes to the Polls

Attacks from Maoist rebels mar start of India's month-long election

(Newser) - The first of 714 million eligible voters cast their ballots in the opening round of India's election today, reports the BBC. The month-long voting process pits the Congress party-led ruling coalition against the opposition Hindu nationalist BJP party and a coalition of Communist and regional third parties. Turnout has been...

Indian Leader in ICU After Heart Surgery

PM's illness highlights lack of succession law, aging Cabinet

(Newser) - Indian PM Manmohan Singh is in intensive care as he recovers from heart bypass surgery, reports the Times of London, highlighting the country's lack of succession law and stoking fears about its preparedness for another terrorist attack. The foreign minister is acting as leader while a special committee has control...

Ruling Party's Win Paves Way for Nuclear Deal in India

Prime Minister Singh's government wins confidence vote

(Newser) - The Indian government's survival of a confidence vote today should clear the way for approval of a landmark nuclear energy deal with the US, the Washington Post reports. Prime Minister Manmohan Singh's government survived by 19 votes, despite allegations of bribery and back-room shenanigans. Under the US-brokered deal, India will...

US Nuclear Deal Could Spell End for India's PM

Singh struggles to survive as Delhi seeks energy accord

(Newser) - India's government is approaching the breaking point over a proposed nuclear deal with the US, reports the New York Times. Prime Minister Manmohan Singh is desperate to push through legislation that will let the US give India access to fuel and technology for nuclear plants. But the accord could cost...

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