(Pics) Sonia Gandhi hosts Iftar party in three years; Sharad Yadav, Lalu share the joy

New Delhi, July 28: Congress President Sonia Gandhi held her first iftar in the last three years as the party was witheld for various reasons like natural calamity and tragedy in the country. Held at Hotel Ashoka, the party however was significant is many ways. Sonia Gandhi was seen sharing the table with RJD chief Lalu Prasad Yadav and JDU convener Sharad Yadav, both staunch critics of Congress.

NCP leader Tariq Anwar was also sharing the same table. Former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and Congress Vice President Rahul Gandhi were also present, but the latter was sharing the table with bureaucrats. Manmohan Singh, however, was sharing the table with former Election Commissioner S Y Quraishi and Sharmila Tagore. Among the guests were journalists, diplomats, and religious leaders.

This is the second big Iftar happening this year after the one thrown by President Pranab Mukherjee last week. Some of the leaders who attended Sonia's party included External Affairs Minister Salman Khurshid, Ambika Soni, JD(U) leader Prem Chand Gupta, Mrs Gandhi's political secretary Ahmed Patel, Ajay Maken, Motilal Vora, Digvijay Singh, Jairam Ramesh, Anand Sharma, Shakeel Ahmed, Rajeev Shukla, Kumari Selja, Mohsina Kidwai, Karan Singh, CLP chief in Delhi Assembly Haroon Yusuf, DPCC president Arvinder Singh Lovely, Raj Babbar, Mohammed Azaharuddin and Mani Shankar Aiyar.

Congress President Sonia Gandhi during her Iftar party

Congress President Sonia Gandhi during her Iftar party in New Delhi on Sunday.

Congress President Sonia Gandhi offer dates to RJD chief Lalu Yadav

Congress President Sonia Gandhi offer dates to RJD chief Lalu Yadav at an Iftar party hosted by her in New Delhi on Sunday.

Iftar party in New Delhi

Congress President Sonia Gandhi with RJD chief Lalu Yadav, JD(U) chief Sharad Yadav and NCP leader Tariq Anwar (R) during her Iftar party in New Delhi on Sunday.

Sonia Gandhi and party vice president Rahul Gandhi arrive for an Iftar party

Former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, Congress President, Sonia Gandhi and party vice president Rahul Gandhi arrive for an Iftar party hosted by party president, in New Delhi on Sunday.

Congress President Sonia Gandhi with her son at an Iftar party

Congress President Sonia Gandhi with her son and party Vice president Rahul Gandhi at an Iftar party hosted by her in New Delhi on Sunday.

Congress Party Vice president Rahul Gandhi adjusts his cap

Congress Party Vice president Rahul Gandhi adjusts his cap during an Iftar party hosted by party president Gonia Gandhi in New Delhi on Sunday.

Iftar party hosted by party president Sonia Gandhi in New Delhi

Former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and Congress Vice President Rahul Gandhi arrive for an Iftar party hosted by party president Sonia Gandhi in New Delhi on Sunday.

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