Congress wins election, Singh to remain PM

[Naveed Yaseen]

* BJP concedes defeat by saying Congress has biggest mandate
* Polling setback for regional and communist parties

NEW DELHI: Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh’s ruling coalition won the election on Saturday, boosting hope of a stable government that seeks extensive economic reforms and better ties with Pakistan.

The Congress-led coalition, riding on the back of years of economic growth, did better than expected and would probably be only just short of an outright majority, according to data from the election commission and projections by TV channels. “The people of India have spoken, and spoken with great clarity,” Singh told reporters. “Eventually the people of India know what’s good for them and they always make the right choice,” Sonia Gandhi, the head of Congress, added, Reuters reported. She said Singh would remain the party’s choice for the prime minister of the next government.

Conceded: The Congress-led coalition is projected to win 261 seats, short of the 272 needed for a parliamentary majority, state TV said. The BJP-led opposition alliance would take 160 seats and a Third Front of communist and smaller groups 58 seats, it added. The BJP effectively conceded defeat by saying that Congress had the biggest mandate. Pakistan would top the foreign policy agenda of the new administration, with the US expected to renew calls for reduced tensions to help stabilise the region.

Setback: The election was, however, a setback for regional, caste-based parties and the communists who were once seen as indispensable for any coalition.

Political analyst Neerja Chaudhry said India’s 714-million electorate had voted for stability, adding people did not want anything divisive in the current climate, AFP reported. agencies

http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/default.asp...2009_pg1_1