London:
Government formation in the UK seems to have turned into an Indian-style murky political thriller with the kingmakers the Liberal Democrats (Lib Dems) talking to both the Conservatives and the Labour party.
But even before a government is in place, who will succeed Gordon Brown has become the other big question with Foreign Secretary David Miliband emerging as the bookies' favourite.
"Lib Dems behaving like every harlot in history" - this provocative headline dominated Tuesday morning's headlines as Liberal Democrats hold talks with both the Conservatives and Labour, trying to get the maximum concessions on their key agenda of electoral reform.
Conservative leader David Cameron who thought he almost had a deal stitched up yesterday, stands to lose the crown if Lib Dems walk away into the waiting arms of Labour.
"My own Members of Parliament have shown that they are prepared to put aside the party interest in the national interest by agreeing to a referendum on alternative vote. So it is now, I believe decision time, decision time for the Liberal Democrats," said David Cameron, Conservative party leader.
His frustration was matched by the exhaustion on Nick Clegg's face who has been in feverish negotiations till the small hours.
"I am as impatient as anybody else to get on with this, to resolve matters one way or another," said Nick Clegg, Lib Dem leader.
The Lib Dems and Labour have held discussions in the House of Commons, trying to thrash out a deal but even if they reach a deal, critics say this would be a loser's coalition between parties that have come second and third in the elections, negating the mandate of the people for the single largest party - the Conservatives.
If a Lib-Lab coalition does work out, Gordon Brown will remain Prime Minister till September in that case making way for his party to choose his successor. Bookies are already betting on David Miliband as the front runner but he will not be drawn into it.
"No candidate will be declaring anything until the future of the government has been sorted out, either a Conservative-Liberal government or a Labour-Liberal government," said David Miliband, Foreign Secretary, Britain.
The country is now getting impatient, markets jittery at the uncertainty, so the pressure is on the leaders to hammer out a deal quickly.
But even before a government is in place, who will succeed Gordon Brown has become the other big question with Foreign Secretary David Miliband emerging as the bookies' favourite.
"Lib Dems behaving like every harlot in history" - this provocative headline dominated Tuesday morning's headlines as Liberal Democrats hold talks with both the Conservatives and Labour, trying to get the maximum concessions on their key agenda of electoral reform.
Conservative leader David Cameron who thought he almost had a deal stitched up yesterday, stands to lose the crown if Lib Dems walk away into the waiting arms of Labour.
"My own Members of Parliament have shown that they are prepared to put aside the party interest in the national interest by agreeing to a referendum on alternative vote. So it is now, I believe decision time, decision time for the Liberal Democrats," said David Cameron, Conservative party leader.
His frustration was matched by the exhaustion on Nick Clegg's face who has been in feverish negotiations till the small hours.
"I am as impatient as anybody else to get on with this, to resolve matters one way or another," said Nick Clegg, Lib Dem leader.
The Lib Dems and Labour have held discussions in the House of Commons, trying to thrash out a deal but even if they reach a deal, critics say this would be a loser's coalition between parties that have come second and third in the elections, negating the mandate of the people for the single largest party - the Conservatives.
If a Lib-Lab coalition does work out, Gordon Brown will remain Prime Minister till September in that case making way for his party to choose his successor. Bookies are already betting on David Miliband as the front runner but he will not be drawn into it.
"No candidate will be declaring anything until the future of the government has been sorted out, either a Conservative-Liberal government or a Labour-Liberal government," said David Miliband, Foreign Secretary, Britain.
The country is now getting impatient, markets jittery at the uncertainty, so the pressure is on the leaders to hammer out a deal quickly.
Track Latest News Live on NDTV.com and get news updates from India and around the world
