The biggest democracy on earth has delivered the most extraordinary shock and a stark reminder that politics is a far-from-certain game. Prime Minister Vajpayee has resigned - his Hindu nationalist BJP party has lost its majority and the Italian-Indian Sonia Ghandi, widow of Rajiv, is conceivably about to become Prime Minister.

Normally India plumps either for the dynastic, for the elderly or conceivably for the woman. Mrs Ghandi wins on the dynastic and the woman bit. It’s an amazing tale and the scenes out of India tonight are breathtaking.

SOurce: Channel 4 News