Sonia hosts dinner for MPs

New Delhi, Aug 8 (UNI) Ahead of the August 10 Vice-Presidential election, MPs and leaders of the ruling UPA coalition and the Left allies today attended a dinner hosted by Congress President Sonia Gandhi.

The dinner at Hotel Maurya Sheraton assumes significance as it comes ahead of the commencement of the Monsoon session of Parliament and a day after the Left parties had openly rejected the operationalisation of the 123 agreement on Indo-US civil nuclear agreement.

Left leaders Prakash Karat, A B Bardhan and D Raja attended the dinner despite indications of deepening differences between the UPA and Left Parties over the nuke deal.

The Left leaders were also seen interacting with Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and Ms Gandhi.

Revolutionary Socialist Party and Forward Bloc MPs did not attend the dinner as they were not invited. The two parties were also extending support to the government from outside.

UPA Vice-Presidential nominee Mohammed Hamid Ansari was formally introduced to the UPA and Left MPs. MPs of both Houses of Parliament constitute the electoral college for the August 10 election.

Mr Ansari interacted with the MPs who were seen surrounding him in groups.

Ms Gandhi had hosted a dinner in honour of UPA Presidential candidate Pratibha Patil two days ahead of the July 19 Presidential poll.

UNI