Betting rampant on next Indian government, PM amid tight race

Source: Xinhua | 05-13-2009 16:13

NEW DELHI, May 13 (Xinhua) -- Since India began voting in mid-April in its marathon five-phase general elections, betting has become rampant and a multi-million rupee business in the back alleys of Delhi over who is going to be the new prime minister or which party will form the next government.

While ruling Congress is likely to lead with 140 seats in the 545-member Lok Sabha, or lower house of parliament, bookies have predicted that it will still fall far short of the half-way mark of 272 required to form the next government and the race is too close to call.

Out of 545 members of Lock Sabha, 543 are elected while two Anglo-Indian deputies are selected by the Indian president. The next parliament will be formed by June 2.

As India was voting Wednesday in the fifth and final phase of the polls, for the opposition Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), which is predicted to win from 125 to 130 seats, the odds are improving that they will win more.

Thanks to this tight race, betting is becoming more than lucrative for thousands of Delhi-based bookies who live off all kinds of games life can offer from politics to sports.

"Betting is illegal in India. But, it's time for the bookies to make quick bucks. We are also participating in betting to earn some money in these times of recession. I am for the Opposition Bharatiya Janata Party and L.K. Advani as the next PM," says Ajay Sigh, a businessman based in Chandni Chowk, Delhi's bustling historic town.