Indian polls begin today

India's ruling Congress party would be open to discussing an alliance with Communist parties after the April-May general election, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh said on Wednesday.

India holds a five-stage, staggered general election from today to May 13.

The major battle is between the left-of-centre Congress coalition and an alliance led by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).

The CPI(M) is a major force behind a "Third Front" of smaller regional parties that aims to challenge Congress and the BJP.

Neither of the main national alliance parties may win a majority in Parliament, meaning the vote could lead to days of post-election negotiations with smaller parties. Reuters