New Delhi: Communist Party of India (CPI) today (May 17, 2004) announced that it will join the Congress-led Government at the Centre provided all other Left parties participate in it.

Addressing a press conference, CPI general secretary A B Bardhan said that participation of the Left parties in the Government would be helpful in providing stability to it.

He, however, made it clear that his party will join the Government only if all other Left parties followed suit. This was to ensure unity and cohesion among the Left parties, he said, adding that it would not be a unilateral decision.

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Bardhan said either the whole Left joins the Government or it keeps out.

Bardhan told reporters after the party's National Executive meeting that participation of the Left parties in the Government would "meet the aspirations of the people" and provide stability.

"But it has to be made clear that participation has to be by all Left parties together ... it is more important to preserve the unity of the Left," the CPI leader said.

He said, "CPI will not take any unilateral decision on joining the Government. The whole Left will either participate together or keep out together."