From correspondents in Punjab, India, 09:33 PM IST

Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal Tuesday said that his Shiromani Akali Dal would stand by the the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) on the India-US nuclear deal.

While saying that the Akali Dal is a 'permanent part' of the Bharatiya Janta Party (BJP)-led NDA, Badal told reporters here that they would take a final decision on the matter July 15.

Difference over the India-US nuclear deal saw the Left parties withdraw support to the United Progressive Alliance (UPA) government Tuesday. Of 13 Lok Sabha MPs in the state, the Akali Dal accounts for eight.

(Staff Writer, © IANS)