Vajpayee pays courtesy call to Speaker

New Delhi, Aug 31 (UNI) Former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee paid a 'courtesy' call to Lok Sabha Speaker Somnath Chatterjee at his residence sources said today.

The visit yesterday, lasted about half-an-hour and is considered to be an effort to remove animosity, if any, between the two following his letter to the Speaker in which he had said the "legislature proceedings can be smooth if the presiding officer is able to inspire confidence in the Opposition party as much as the ruling party..." Mr Chatterjee had asked the NDA to reconsider their decision to stay away from the House on August 8.

Sources said that Mr Vajpayee had gone to meet Mr Chatterjee as he was unable to attend the customary meeting of senior leaders with the Speaker on the conclusion of the session on August 25.

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