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India left launch nuclear protest India left launch nuclear protest
(about 3 hours later)
Left-wing parties in India are set to launch a national campaign against a controversial India-US nuclear deal. Left-wing parties in India have launched a national campaign against a controversial India-US nuclear deal.
The communists, former allies of the government, withdrew support last week in protest against the government's decision to push ahead with the deal. The communists stopped supporting the government last week in protest at its decision to push ahead with the deal to meet India's soaring energy needs.
The governing coalition, which has now been reduced to a minority, will seek a vote of confidence on 22 July.The governing coalition, which has now been reduced to a minority, will seek a vote of confidence on 22 July.
If the government loses the vote, India faces early elections and the nuclear deal would probably be scuttled.If the government loses the vote, India faces early elections and the nuclear deal would probably be scuttled.
The government says the nuclear deal is needed to meet soaring energy demands, but the communists say it could give the US too much influence over Indian foreign and nuclear policy. Under the accord, India would gain access to US civilian nuclear technology and fuel in return for opening civilian nuclear facilities to inspection. Nuclear weapons sites would remain off-limits.
Under the terms of the accord, India would get access to US civilian nuclear technology and fuel. The communists fear the accord could give the US too much influence over Indian foreign and nuclear policy.
In return, Delhi would open its civilian nuclear facilities to inspection - but its nuclear weapons sites would remain off-limits. 'Obsession'
Campaign "We cannot support a government that is undermining our independent foreign policy," senior communist leader Prakash Karat said, addressing a meeting of supporters in the capital, Delhi.
"The four left parties are organising a public meeting in Delhi on Monday to protest against the government's decision to go ahead with the India-US nuclear deal," according to a press release issued by the Communist Party of India (Marxist), or CPI(M). "The government's priority is to enter into the nuclear deal and not to solve the economic crisis that the nation is facing."
Several left-wing leaders who addressed the rally criticised the government for its "obsession" with the nuclear deal.
The deal would give India access to nuclear fuel and technology
The government was also criticised for rising prices and the high rate of inflation.
Left leaders say they will explain to the people the reason they stopped backing the Congress party-led coalition and why they oppose the nuclear deal.
Senior left leader AB Bardhan said meetings would be organised in towns and villages across the country as part of their campaign against the deal.Senior left leader AB Bardhan said meetings would be organised in towns and villages across the country as part of their campaign against the deal.
Left leaders say they will explain to the people the reason they pulled out from the Congress party-led coalition and why they oppose the nuclear deal.
The campaign is due to go on until the end of August.The campaign is due to go on until the end of August.
The deal would give India access to nuclear fuel and technology A two-day special session of the lower house of Indian parliament - the Lok Sabha - will be convened on 21 July, with the confidence vote scheduled for the following day.
A two-day special session of the lower house of Indian parliament - the Lok Sabha - will be convened on 21 July with the confidence vote scheduled for the following day. The Congress party hopes a deal with the regional Samajwadi Party will make up for the loss of support from the communists in parliament.
The Congress party hopes that it will be able to replace support given to it by the communists in parliament by receiving the backing of the regional Samajwadi Party. But correspondents say the government has a tough fight on its hands.
But correspondents say it is a tight race and the government has a tough fight on its hands. A defeat for the government in the 543-member lower house would trigger an early election, and almost certainly mean the end of the nuclear pact with the US.
A defeat for the government in the 543-member house would trigger an early election, and almost certainly would mean the end of the nuclear pact with the US.
India is under pressure from Washington to sign the accord before the US presidential elections in November.India is under pressure from Washington to sign the accord before the US presidential elections in November.
Critics of the deal fear assistance to India's civil programme could free-up additional radioactive material for bomb-making purposes.Critics of the deal fear assistance to India's civil programme could free-up additional radioactive material for bomb-making purposes.