Street clashes erupted in India after this week's announcement that parliamentary elections will start April 7 in a race that pits Hindu nationalist Narendra Modi against the unpopular Nehru-Gandhi family's ruling party.
Chief Election Commissioner V.S. Sampath said Wednesday that 814 million people had registered to vote, a number exceeding the population of Europe and a world record. Results are due May 16.
In Delhi and a regional city, supporters of a young anti-corruption party battled members of Modi's Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Wednesday. The clashes with stones and clubs bloodied several people on both sides. Police used water cannons on protesters.