India's communists against nuclear deal

INDIA: The communist allies of India's ruling Congress-led coalition are warning they will bring down the government if it goes ahead with a controversial nuclear accord with the United States.

The communists issued the threat in the latest issue of party mouthpiece "People's Democracy," ratcheting up pressure on the government not to go ahead with the pact in the face of mounting US calls for India to speedily conclude the deal before November's presidential polls.

"It is for the Congress leadership to decide whether it wants to be seen as kowtowing to the pressure of the Bush administration," said the party journal slated to appear this weekend.

"The future of this (minority) government depends on the decision they will take," the party said in the article headlined "Turning Point Has Arrived."

"This decision has to be a quick and clear one," said the article.

"The Left parties will take all the necessary steps to stop the government from taking such a harmful step," it stated.

New Delhi, Friday, AFP