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Congress ahead in India election Congress ahead in India election
(20 minutes later)
Early counting trends show the ruling Congress-led alliance well ahead of the opposition BJP coalition in India's general election.Early counting trends show the ruling Congress-led alliance well ahead of the opposition BJP coalition in India's general election.
Official results will flood in soon but the trends reported by state TV showed Congress ahead in 245 seats, the BJP in 160 and the Third Front in 60.Official results will flood in soon but the trends reported by state TV showed Congress ahead in 245 seats, the BJP in 160 and the Third Front in 60.
Indian media are already saying Congress will form the next government and its supporters are celebrating.Indian media are already saying Congress will form the next government and its supporters are celebrating.
India's new 543-seat parliament must be constituted by 2 June.India's new 543-seat parliament must be constituted by 2 June.
One senior leader of the Hindu nationalist BJP, Balbir Punj, has already expressed disappointment. BJP president Rajnath Singh told reporters the party had not expected this kind of result. "We will sit together later today, once all the results are out, and analyse what happened," he said.
He told Indian media: "The results are unexpected. We are disappointed with the results. We have learnt our lesson."
The BBC's Chris Morris in Delhi says that a small crowd has already gathered outside Congress headquarters to celebrate, banging drums and chanting slogans.The BBC's Chris Morris in Delhi says that a small crowd has already gathered outside Congress headquarters to celebrate, banging drums and chanting slogans.
'Safe majority''Safe majority'
Counting began at 0800 local time (0230 GMT) and with electronic voting machines being used the first trends were quickly available.Counting began at 0800 local time (0230 GMT) and with electronic voting machines being used the first trends were quickly available.
INDIAN ELECTION AT A GLANCE Eligible voters: 714 millionPolling centres: 828,804Voting days: 16, 23, 30 April; 7, 13 MayVote counting: 16 May Elections battleground mapINDIAN ELECTION AT A GLANCE Eligible voters: 714 millionPolling centres: 828,804Voting days: 16, 23, 30 April; 7, 13 MayVote counting: 16 May Elections battleground map
State television Doordarshan said that at 1230 local time across all 543 seats, the Congress alliance was ahead in 245, the BJP coalition in 160 and the Third Front in 60 with others at 78.State television Doordarshan said that at 1230 local time across all 543 seats, the Congress alliance was ahead in 245, the BJP coalition in 160 and the Third Front in 60 with others at 78.
Congress appears to be doing far better than had been expected, confounding predictions particularly in Uttar Pradesh, Kerala, Andhra Pradesh and Gujarat.Congress appears to be doing far better than had been expected, confounding predictions particularly in Uttar Pradesh, Kerala, Andhra Pradesh and Gujarat.
Congress alliance spokesman Kapil Sibal told Reuters news agency: "Together with our alliance partners, we will have a safe majority."Congress alliance spokesman Kapil Sibal told Reuters news agency: "Together with our alliance partners, we will have a safe majority."
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The counting should be swift and the results known quicklyThe counting should be swift and the results known quickly
One senior BJP leader, Balbir Punj, told Indian media: "The results are unexpected. We are disappointed with the results. We have learnt our lesson."
Left-wing parties appear to be suffering major reverses in West Bengal and Kerala and the party of Dalit leader Mayawati is doing badly in Uttar Pradesh.Left-wing parties appear to be suffering major reverses in West Bengal and Kerala and the party of Dalit leader Mayawati is doing badly in Uttar Pradesh.
Senior leftist leader Sitaram Yechury said: "It's the people's verdict."
Only a few results have been confirmed so far - they included a win for former UN diplomat Shashi Tharoor for Congress in Kerala's capital, Trivandrum.Only a few results have been confirmed so far - they included a win for former UN diplomat Shashi Tharoor for Congress in Kerala's capital, Trivandrum.
Since polling ended on Wednesday, the two main parties have been involved in a series of political meetings, scrambling to gain pledges of support in a predicted hung parliament.Since polling ended on Wednesday, the two main parties have been involved in a series of political meetings, scrambling to gain pledges of support in a predicted hung parliament.
The results in Andhra Pradesh could be crucial overallThe results in Andhra Pradesh could be crucial overall
The BBC's Sanjoy Majumder in Delhi says there had been suggestions that both the Congress and BJP were losing relevance in India, ceding political space to smaller, local parties.The BBC's Sanjoy Majumder in Delhi says there had been suggestions that both the Congress and BJP were losing relevance in India, ceding political space to smaller, local parties.
But a major defeat for the BJP's LK Advani would certainly spell the end of his political career, he says.But a major defeat for the BJP's LK Advani would certainly spell the end of his political career, he says.
The main thrust of the Congress manifesto is on economic recovery and boosting growth while the BJP has focused on easing taxation and recovering money illegally stashed abroad.The main thrust of the Congress manifesto is on economic recovery and boosting growth while the BJP has focused on easing taxation and recovering money illegally stashed abroad.
The prime movers of the Third Front are the leftist parties and the BSP of Mayawati.The prime movers of the Third Front are the leftist parties and the BSP of Mayawati.
Two large swing states in the south - Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu - could be key in the overall result. President's role
The BBC's Omer Farooq in Hyderabad, Andhra Pradesh, says the state turnout of 73% was the highest recorded there and the political debut of popular film star Chiranjeevi could prove crucial. Security was tight in a number of areas ahead of the results announcement.
Caste clashes Could Manmohan Singh be set for another term as PM?
Security is tight in a number of areas ahead of the results announcement. Meetings of five or more people have been banned across Rajasthan and victory processions barred in Uttar Pradesh.
Many names have been suggested for PM if Manmohan Singh loses out
The BBC's Narayan Bareth in Jaipur, Rajasthan, says that meetings of five or more people have been banned across the state with paramilitaries and armed police deployed.
Caste clashes in the state in 2007 and 2008 left 70 people dead.
Victory processions have been banned in Uttar Pradesh.
Security is also tight in Indian-administered Kashmir.
There have been violent demonstrations against the elections in parts of the Kashmir valley in recent weeks, although all the five phases of polling passed off by and large peacefully.
After the counting the focus will fall on President Pratibha Patil.After the counting the focus will fall on President Pratibha Patil.
There are no rules in the constitution on who she can invite to form a government. It could be the single largest party or most dominant coalition. She may ask for documented pledges of support.There are no rules in the constitution on who she can invite to form a government. It could be the single largest party or most dominant coalition. She may ask for documented pledges of support.
Turnout for the election has been put at about 60%, compared with 58% in 2004.Turnout for the election has been put at about 60%, compared with 58% in 2004.
Security has so far generally been considered a success, although about 60 people lost their lives, mostly in Maoist violence.Security has so far generally been considered a success, although about 60 people lost their lives, mostly in Maoist violence.
Will you be following the results as the votes are counted? What are your hopes for the election result? Send us your views.Will you be following the results as the votes are counted? What are your hopes for the election result? Send us your views.
The BBC may edit your comments and not all emails will be published. Your comments may be published on any BBC media worldwide. Terms & ConditionsThe BBC may edit your comments and not all emails will be published. Your comments may be published on any BBC media worldwide. Terms & Conditions