sisyphusshrugged | it works if you work it.

Gee, formerly popular government in the hand of right-wing religious extremists tossed out of power by poor folks who were not impressed by the fact that a small group of their better-connected fellows are doing really well, thank you.

Goose walk over your grave, Karl?

The Gandhi political dynasty in India prepared for a return to power Thursday after it was handed a stunning victory that reflected anger among millions of India's rural poor over being left out of the economic boom fostered by the current government.

The party of Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee conceded the vote, leaving Sonia Gandhi, the Italian-born widow of the former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi, to take the helm of the world's largest democracy.

Vajpayee resigned Thursday night but was to stay on until the new government is formed, the president's secretary said. He was to address the nation later on television.

It was one of the most dramatic political upsets since Indian independence almost 60 years ago.

``We have not got the mandate of the people,'' said Venkaiah Naidu, president of Vajpayee's Bharatiya Janata Party. He said the decision to concede the race was made at a 90-minute meeting of the party and its coalition partners.