India's software state votes in high-stakes election

0 Comments | AFP, May, 2008

BANGALORE, India (AFP) — The southern Indian state of Karnataka voted Saturday in a crucial election Sonia Gandhi's ruling Congress party is battling to win as it faces a potential backlash over surging prices.

More than 2.5 million people -- or 15 percent of the electorate -- had trooped out to vote in the first three hours of polling to choose 89 lawmakers to the 224-member Karnataka assembly, election commission officials said.

The remaining seats will be filled May 16 and 22 in a three-phase election the Congress is fighting on a promise to rein in prices, provide a stable government and refurbish the state's shabby infrastructure.

Saturday's first-phase also covers Bangalore, the Karnataka capital and India's "Silicon Valley," where police said they...