Militants strike as India goes to the polls

MILITANTS struck polling sites with grenades, rifles and bombs yesterday as Indians from Goan beaches to Himalayan mountains voted in a crucial third round of elections that will decide the fate of opposition leader Sonia Gandhi and her son, first-time candidate Rahul.

Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee was expected to return to office at the end of the three-week, five-phase parliament elections on the strength of a booming economy and peace prospects with neighbouring Pakistan.

But the latest surveys indicated he may end up with a slimmer majority and a less-stable coalition after votes are counted on May 13.