Indians are taking part in the world's largest general election. More than 800 million people are eligible to vote.
Indians will go to the polls in nine stages over more than a month. The first voting is taking place in the northeastern states of Assam and Tripura.
Opinion polls suggest the main opposition party could defeat the ruling National Congress Party, which has held power for years. The heir to a political dynasty heads the party's campaign. Rahul Gandhi took over after Prime Minister Manmohan Singh announced that he would step down.
(Rahul Gandhi / NCP candidate)
"We've been working hard for poor people. We'll guarantee a raise in incomes to the middle-class level, and we'll provide education to all children."
Members of the Bharatiya Janata Party are expected to take a large share of the votes. They're led by chief minister of the western state of Gujarat, Narendra Modi.
(Narendra Modi / BJP candidate)
"The ruling party has destroyed our country by spreading corruption. Economic development is my top priority."
Modi is a Hindu nationalist who has attracted a lot of support, but some worry about relations between Hindus and Muslims if he wins...
◆general election 総選挙
◆be eligible to ... ～する資格がある
◆opinion poll 世論調査
◆heir 後継者
◆dynasty 王朝
◆take over 引き継ぐ
◆step down 辞任、辞職する
◆corruption 汚職
◆attract a lot of support 多くの支持を集める
