Late last month, followers congregated near Red Fort, the 17th-century bastion in New Delhi where Indian prime ministers deliver their Independence Day addresses each year.

CNN: ASIANOW - TIME Asia

Party officials are hoping that the 42-year-old Mr. Gandhi, whose father, grandmother and great-grandfather were all Indian prime ministers, will help it to stay in power.

WSJ: As India Party Tries to Sway Gandhi to Run, He Demurs

Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh has brought 22 new ministers into the government in a major reshuffle.

BBC: India: Manmohan Singh reshuffles cabinet

Three Indian ministers had the courage to resign from Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee's government in protest against a steep hike in the prices of petroleum products which has hit the poorer sections of society very badly.

CNN: Letters

Long reserved for people who held constitutional posts, including former prime ministers and presidents, state funerals have recently been given for Indian soldiers and others seen to have achieved distinction in various fields, including classical vocalist Bhimsen Joshi in 2011.

WSJ: Prisoner's Death Frays India-Pakistan Ties

Baalu said that a letter to witdhraw support to the government had been submitted to the Indian President and the party's ministers in the government would also submit their resignation to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh.

WSJ: India Coalition Says Government Stable