Hindu Nationalists Celebrate Vote Results

Hindu nationalists pounded drums and danced outside a New Delhi election center Monday, elated by early results suggesting their party would get a chance to form India’s next government.

The Bharatiya Janata Party - whose straightforward ideology and promises of stability appealed to voters battered by political and economic uncertainty - expressed confidence the parliamentary election would end with it taking power. It was expected to start talks Wednesday with potential partners for a coalition government.

Jubilant party supporters danced in celebration outside one vote-counting station. Officials at the party’s national headquarters a mile away were subdued, awaiting more definitive results.