India's ruling Congress chief Sonia Gandhi Sunday issued her strongest ever comment on the Left critics of New Delhi's nuclear deal with the United States, saying those opposing the accord were enemies of development and peace.
"Such elements (the critics of the deal) are not only enemies of the Congress (party), but enemies of peace and development. We should join hands to give them an appropriate answer," she told a public meeting near capital New Delhi.
Her comments came as Left parties, whose support is crucial for the survival of the Congress-led federal government, have warned to pull it down if it decides to go ahead with the nuclear agreement.
"We are working at every level to meet the energy needs of the people. That is why the nuclear deal with the U.S. has been proposed," she said in Jhajjar, 65 km from New Delhi.
