Amar Singh receives PM's spl attention: praises him in return

New Delhi, May 22 (UNI) Samajwadi Party General Secretary Amar Singh was given special attention by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh during the dinner he hosted at his official residence here on the occasion of the fourth anniversay of the UPA government.

Dr Singh, who was seated along with Left leaders Sitaram Yechury, D Raja and A B Bardhan, moved to Mr Amar Singh's table to give him company. This was in sharp contrast to the cold response the SP had got during the initial days of the UPA's formation.

Both the leaders reciprocated each other's gesture. A beaming Amar Singh said he held Dr Singh in high esteem and was proud of his leadership during the last four years. However, he suggested that the government should adopt consensual approach on several contentious issues.

Mr Amar Singh said his party was willing to have a re-look at the Indo-US nuclear deal if the government was coming up with new facts. The party had so far towed the Left line, publicly opposing the deal.

As the SP Leader was speaking to mediapesons, CPI(M) leader Sitaram Yechury came in between. When Mr Amar Singh paused for a while, Mr Yechury remarked, ''I think I am constraining my friend to speak out his mind.'' As the mediapersons started asking whether the SP was getting closer to the UPA, the Prime Minister said ''Everything is possible in politics.'' The BSP did not attend the dinner although it had been invited.

UPA Chairperson Sonia Gandhi was seated between CPI(M) couple Prakash Karat and Brinda Karat and did not make any effort to interact with the SP leader.

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