New Delhi, April 27, 2010, SPA -- India's Congress-led government won a key confidence vote in parliament on Tuesday by a stronger-than-expected 84 votes despite the coalition suffering problems from high inflation to a cricket scandal, Reuters reported. Prime Minister Manmohan Singh's government was backed by 246 lawmakers in the 545-strong lower house. The opposition managed 162 votes against. The vote was the first of the many demanded on Tuesday demanded by parties against an unpopular hike in fuel and fertiliser prices which they said hurt the poor, but which the government deems necessary to cut its fiscal deficit from a 16-year high of 6.9 percent. The strong govenrment showing may boost efforts to pass key bills. Financial markets have largely ignored the parliamentary row, anticipating no threat to the government. Outside parliament, the communists and their allies shut down shops, offices, trains and airports in several states as they tried to enforce a dawn-to-dusk strike protesting inflation that is running at a 17-month high of 9.9 percent. The strong govenrment showing may boost efforts to pass key bills. Financial markets have largely ignored the parliamentary row, anticipating no threat to the government. In the run-up to the vote, the government appeared shakey and defered crucial legislation, with two allies withdrawing support over a bill to reserve legislative seats for women and others expressed disquiet over issues like high prices. The govenrment has already been forced to put on hold a bill to cap liability of operators in case of a nuclear accident, crucial for firms like General Electric and Westinghouse Electric to enter India's $150 billion civil nuclear sector. -- SPA 19:15 LOCAL TIME 16:15 GMT www.spa.gov.sa/774321