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India was thrown into political turmoil after Sonia Gandhi told parliament she was not going to be prime minister.

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One supporter, apparently distraught at the news, held a gun to his head...

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... while another slashed his chest in an expression of despair that Italian-born Gandhi had refused to serve.

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Many more descended on Mrs Gandhi's house in Delhi to demand that she change her mind.

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Mrs Gandhi is backing Manmohan Singh for the top post instead.

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Some Congress supporters beat on the car carrying Mr Singh.

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Earlier, the outgoing Hindu Nationalist BJP had vowed to oppose the "foreigner".

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They included the current health minister whose threat to resign from parliament if Mrs Gandhi became PM sparked these protests.

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While a BJP supporter went further - trying to set fire to himself.