Phone tapping row likely to hit India parliament

NEW DELHI - A row over charges government agencies secretly tapped telephones of senior politicians is likely to paralyze India's parliament on Monday, possibly spelling fresh delay for the budget and other key bills.

The tension comes just as the government is seeking to secure its allies' support for a possible vote in parliament over high food prices. The government would fall if it loses the vote.

The controversy is the latest blow for a coalition that was expected to capitalize on its re-election to promote policies to boost investment and ailing infrastructure as well as reform welfare and subsidies.