Will stake claim, says Congress

Thrilled at the early reports, the Congress has said it will stake claim to rule India again. 

With the trends in counting of votes giving UPA a clear lead, the Congress said President Pratibha Patil would invite the party to form government.

Congress general secretary B K Hariprasad expressed confidence that UPA will emerge as the single largest party
and along with its allies it will be able to muster the majority.

Asked whether the UPA could stake claim to form the government, he said, "Of course."

"We expect the President to invite the single largest party with its allies to form the government," he said.