When enigmatic Congress party chief Sonia Gandhi first nominated the studious Manmohan Singh as premier in 2004, observers had their antennae tuned for signs of the first rift. But five years on, the elegant Italian-born widow and the 76-year-old turbaned Sikh, dubbed the "odd couple" by media, are heading into another term of office after Congress's huge re-election victory. And they would appear - outwardly, at least - to still be on good terms.
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After the results rolled in last weekend showing Congress sweeping to its biggest win in 18 years, Gandhi beamed as she ushered the septuagenarian to a podium outside her home and declared he would again be her choice for premier.
Text: AFP
Image: Congress party President Sonia Gandhi looks on as Prime Minister Manmohan Singh talks to the media after meeting the President Pratibha Patil to stake claim to form the next government, at the Presidential Palace in New Delhi on May 20, 2009. (Copyright AP. Unauthorised reproduction prohibited. )
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