WINNERS

Surprise Result in Indian Elections

Gandhi-led Congress Party sweeps back to power.

India's Congress Party has been restored to power in Parliament. Though ballots are still being counted, the defeated parties—the Bharatiya Janata Party and Communist Party of India—are now admitting defeat. Like to the presidential election in the U.S., Congress' number one issue was the economy. It vowed to revive the economy and stimulate growth, while the BJP centered on—ring any bells here?—reducing taxes. Voter turnout is thought to have risen slightly form the 2004 elections to 60 percent, and Congress' election is now being called "the people's verdict." There have been celebrations around the streets of Mumbai, and Congress, which will officially take control of Parliament on June 2, has officially thanked its constituents. Said party president Sonia Gandhi: "The people of India know what's good for them and have made the right choice."