India's ruling Congress party is eyeing possible new allies after winning a decisive victory in national elections.
Top leaders of the Congress Party met in New Delhi Sunday to identify
small parties and lawmakers who will help the party get a parliamentary
majority.
They also discussed the formation of the Cabinet, which is expected to
include some younger leaders such as Rahul Gandhi, son of Congress
Party president Sonia Gandhi.
The Congress Party-led alliance won 261 seats in the 543 member
parliament, while its main rival, the opposition Bharatiya Janata
Party, won 159 seats. A number of other small parties won the remaining
seats.
Congress Party spokesman Rajiv Shukla said Sunday the party can easily
pick up the support it needs to craft a workable coalition.
Bangladeshi Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina congratulated India's ruling alliance on its election victory.
In a statement Sunday, Ms. Hasina said that "the faith reposed on
Congress through the election is a reflection of people's aspiration
for democracy, peace and a bringing about a change in their destiny."
The Bangladeshi leader expressed hope that existing warm relations between the two countries will continue and deepen further.