Indian government survives nuclear deal vote

INDIA’S government survived a hotly contested confidence vote yesterday, clearing the way for it to finalise a landmark nuclear energy deal with the United States.

The vote capped a week of intense politicking that saw the government rename an airport for a lawmaker’s father, promise a high-level job to another, and — rival politicians allege — hand out millions of dollars to many others in an effort to survive.

Most observers expected a tight vote, and both the Congress party and its opponents did whatever they could to muster their forces. One ailing lawmaker was wheeled in on a gurney, and a handful jailed for crimes ranging from murder to extortion were temporarily released from prison so they could vote.