Veteran Indian left leader dies

Veteran Indian communist leader Harkishan Singh Surjeet has died at the age of 92 after a long illness.

Mr Surjeet had a heart attack in a hospital in the Delhi suburb of Noida, said a statement from the Communist Party of India (Marxist) or CPI(M).

Mr Surjeet headed the party from 1992 to 2005 when he handed over to Prakash Karat on account of his old age.

He was seen as a pragmatist who was strongly opposed to Hindu nationalist parties and communal forces in India.

"Comrade Harkishan Singh Surjeet died at 1.35 pm (0805 GMT) on 1 August 2008 after a cardiac arrest. Flags at all party offices will fly at half mast for three days," a statement released by the CPI(M) said.

Mr Surjeet played an important role in forming coalitions against the Hindu nationalist Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).

After general elections in 2004, the communist leader played the role of king-maker when he convinced left-wing parties to support the Congress party-led government.

He retired from the party leadership in 2005 at the age of 89 and had been unwell for some time.