India begins giant general election

Indians have begun voting in the world's biggest election, with the ruling Congress party pitted against the Hindu nationalist BJP opposition. The nine-phase ballot begins on Monday and concludes on 12 May. Votes will be counted on 16 May. More than 800 million Indians are eligible to vote in a poll dominated by corruption and high inflation.
Background:
India kicks off world's biggest election in remote northeast [Reuters]
India begins giant general election [BBC]