Prime Minister Manmohan Singh's ruling coalition won an overwhelming election victory

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh's ruling coalition won an overwhelming election victory. In New Delhi, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh's ruling coalition won an overwhelming election victory on Saturday, boosting hopes of a stable government as the emerging Asian power faces economic downturn and tensions with Pakistan.

Singh's Congress-led coalition, riding on the back of years of economic growth, did better than expected and will 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.

The victory over the opposition Hindu-nationalist-led alliance means the left-of-centre Congress may find it easier to form a stable coalition with smaller parties and be less vulnerable to pressure on issues like economic reforms.

"Eventually the people of India know what's good for them and they always make the right choice," Sonia Gandhi, the head of the Congress party, told reporters.

Congress party supporters carrying banners of star campaigners Rahul and Priyanka Gandhi, set off firecrackers in celebration on the party's return to power.

The Congress party-led coalition was projected to win 261 seats, short of the 272 needed for a parliamentary majority, state TV said.

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-led opposition alliance would take 160 seats and a Third Front of communist and smaller groups 58 seats, the TV channel said.

by reuters