A Akhter / NEW DELHI
The much awaited Iftar party hosted Congress chief Rahul Gandhi today attracted a galaxy of people from different walks of life including a large number of politicians, diplomats and media persons.
Beside a number of opposition leaders, two former presidents Parnab Mukherjee and Partibha Patil and ex prime minister Manmohan singh were present attended the grand social function. It was his first such soial gathering Rahul organised after taking over the party.
Iftar at Delhi’s Taj Palace Hotel, was attended by CPM’s Sitaram Yechury, DMK’s Kanimozhi, RJD’s Manoj Jha and Sharad Yadav. West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee sent Dinesh Trivedi as her representative, and Mayawati sent SC Mishra. Danish Ali, leader of Karnataka’s Janata Dal Secular, was also present. So were former President Pratibha Patil and former Vice-President Hamid Ansari.
“Good food, friendly faces and great conversation make for a memorable Iftar! We were honoured to have two former Presidents, Pranab Da & Smt Pratibha Patil ji join us, along with leaders from different political parties, the media, diplomats and many old & new friends” said Rahul after the party.
But the most-watched face there was former President Pranab Mukherjee, whose decision to attend an RSS function had jolted the Congress. But former President was seen sitting next to Rahul Gandhi — their first meeting since the controversy broke.
There had been speculation that Mr Mukherjee would be dropped from the Congress guest list for attending the RSS function on June 7.
Many Congress leaders, including Mr Mukherjee’s daughter Sharmishtha Mukherjee, were apprehensive that his very presence at the function would hand the BJP a potent weapon against the Congress. the Congress later said Mr Mukherjee, with his address, reminded the BJP and its ideological mentor about “India’s pluralism, tolerance, secularism and inclusiveness” but a section still questioned Mr Mukherjee’s decision.