Vajpayee tipped for return in world’s biggest elections

THE world’s largest democracy begins polling its citizens today from cities to remote Himalayan valleys for parliamentary elections.

The people of India are expected to re-elect the governing coalition, thanks to a booming economy and peace prospects with neighbouring Pakistan.

The ruling National Democratic Alliance, which is a multi-party bloc headed by Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee, claims credit for an economy likely to grow more than 8% this year.