Sonia to host Iftar today; anti-BJP strategy on the menu as well

July 13, 2015 09:12

With the Modi government battling propriety issues over the Lalit Modi row and the furore on the Vyapam scam, leaders of "like-minded" parties will meet for Congress president Sonia Gandhi's Iftar dinner today where they are likely to deliberate on the strategy for Parliament session beginning July 21.

With the 'who's who' of anti-BJP politics expected to be present, considerable significance is being attached to the get-together ahead of the Monsoon Session, which is likely to be the most turbulent for the Narendra Modi government since it took office in May last year.

Among the leaders invited are Mulayam Singh Yadav (SP), Mayawati (BSP), Sharad Pawar (NCP), Sitaram Yechury (CPI-M), H D Deve Gowda (JD-S), E Ahamed (IUML), Kanimozhi (DMK), D Raja (CPI), Farooq Abdullah of the National Conference and Sudip Bandhopadhyay (TMC). Though RJD chief Lalu Prasad has been invited, he has expressed inability to attend due to prior commitments. Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar and JD(U) president Sharad Yadav are among the invitees.

The All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul-Muslimeen (AIMIM), which was part of the Congress-led UPA until two years back, and AIUDF, which has a tie-up with the Congress in Assam, are also invited.

The regional parties which are not part of the BJP-led NDA, but have still been kept away, include the AIADMK, BJD and TRS, which rule Tamil Nadu, Odisha and Telangana respectively.

Congress' ties with these parties within and outside Parliament are at best lukewarm.

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