Won't withdraw support to UPA: CPI(M)

The Communist Party of India(Marxist) will not withdraw its support to the United Progressive Alliance Government, the party said on Thursday -- the first indication of easing off of the stand-off between the Left parties and Prime Minister Manmohan Singh over the Indo-US nuclear deal.

On the eve of the two-day crucial politburo meet, two key party members said withdrawal of support was not under consideration.

"It is a gossip and seems to have no real basis,' chairman of West Bengal's ruling Left Front and senior CPI-M leader Biman Bose told reporters in Kolkata.

"Our policy is not to pull down the government, but work for change in the policies of the government which are not in national interest,' he said. Another politburo member, Sitaram Yechury, said withdrawal of support was not the party's focus.