Congress coalition ahead in India election race
Tuesday, 24 March 2009
NEW DELHI, Mar 23 (AFP): A coalition led by India's ruling Congress Party will secure the most seats in upcoming elections, but not enough to govern alone, according to a poll published Monday.
The survey by research firm Nielsen for the Star News channel predicted a Congress-led coalition could grab as many as 257 seats in the 543-member lower house of parliament.
An alliance led by the main opposition Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) would secure 184 seats, the poll said.
Either bloc would need to attract further support to obtain the required 272-seat majority.
An alliance led by the main opposition Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) would secure 184 seats, the poll said.
Either bloc would need to attract further support to obtain the required 272-seat majority.
Congress currently holds 141 seats on its own, with the BJP close behind at 137.
The survey also said regional parties in southern India were expected to do well, after faring poorly in the 2004 elections.
India's 714 million eligible voters will head to the polls in phases from April 16 until May 13.
Nielsen surveyed 50,402 voters between March 5 and 17. It did not indicate the margin of error.
The survey by research firm Nielsen for the Star News channel predicted a Congress-led coalition could grab as many as 257 seats in the 543-member lower house of parliament.
An alliance led by the main opposition Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) would secure 184 seats, the poll said.
Either bloc would need to attract further support to obtain the required 272-seat majority.
An alliance led by the main opposition Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) would secure 184 seats, the poll said.
Either bloc would need to attract further support to obtain the required 272-seat majority.
Congress currently holds 141 seats on its own, with the BJP close behind at 137.
The survey also said regional parties in southern India were expected to do well, after faring poorly in the 2004 elections.
India's 714 million eligible voters will head to the polls in phases from April 16 until May 13.
Nielsen surveyed 50,402 voters between March 5 and 17. It did not indicate the margin of error.