New Delhi (AsiaNews/Agencies) – India’s present ruling coalition government led by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh will hold a confidence vote on 22 July. The Communists of the Left Front quit the coalition but the government will be backed by the Samajwadi Party (SP).

The Communists left over a nuclear agreement with the United States, arguing that it would give the latter too much influence over India.

But for Prime Minister Singh nuclear energy for civilian purposes is essential to India’s development, especially now that oil prices are sky high.

Under the terms of the deal India would get nuclear technology and material after years of embargo that followed its decision to build an atomic bomb.

However, even with the support of the Uttar Pradesh-based SP the government may not have the numbers to survive a confidence vote in the 543-member Lok Sabha (lower house).

The confidence vote will be preceded by a parliamentary debate on 21 July.

A negative vote would trigger an early election with an uncertain outcome.

It is a difficult time for India as a result of non-stop hikes in the cost of fuel, raw materials and food.

Inflation has reached 11.89 per cent in the third week of June, the highest in 13 years.

Analysts are waiting for data on industrial output in the first six months of the year expecting the lowest growth rate in six years.

Support for the government has dropped as prices shot up, favouring the opposition led by the Hindu fundamentalist Bharatiya Janata Party.