New Delhi  - Jai Ho, the Oscar-winning song from Slumdog Millionaire, has been chosen by India's Congress Party as its theme song for the coming general election, news reports said Wednesday.

The right to use Jai Ho, which roughly translates as "let there be victory," has been bought from music distributor T-Series for an undisclosed sum, the Times of India newspaper reported.

The song from the rags-to-riches film based in Mumbai slums represented hope and possibility, which was what the Congress Party means to the people of India, party sources were quoted as saying.

Narendra Modi, chief minister of Gujarat and leader of the opposition Bharatiya Janata Party, however, said Tuesday that it was the Congress Party that was responsible for slums.

"Because of the slums we have a movie on them. As a result we have awards," Modi said.

Jai Ho would be suitably amended with the help of its lyricist Gulzar and composer AR Rahman before being used for the election campaign, Congress Party sources said.

The Congress Party leads India's ruling United Progressive Alliance.

General elections are scheduled to be held between April 16 and May 13. (dpa)