Victorious Congress eyes allies in India

NEW DELHI: India's Congress party yesterday held talks to identify allies for a new stable coalition government after a sweeping election victory at a time of sagging economic growth and regional instability.

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh's coalition defied predictions of a tight election and was only about 12 seats short of an outright majority from the 543 seats at stake, according to election commission data.

In a country where unwieldy coalitions were becoming the order of the day and hobbling policy, the electoral verdict this time means Congress will call the shots in coalition building rather than being dependent on the goodwill of regional parties.