Setting aside all the claims made by a few news channels regarding former president Pranab Mukherjee been not invited for Congress president Rahul Gandhi’s Iftar party, the former was not only invited but was also seen sitting right beside the latter and having a conversation. It gave a signal that Mukherjee’s visit to Rashtriya Swayamseval Sangh’s (RSS) is a thing of the past.
Few channels claimed, quoting sources that Pranab Mukherjee had been dropped from the Congress guest list but his presence at the Iftar party zipped everybody’s mouths.
A Twitter handle summed it up in a very witty tweet.
Pic 1,2 & 3 : Sources
Pic 4 : Truth pic.twitter.com/9C6BpbFgd8— Chirag (@chirag) June 13, 2018
The Congress president Iftar party was also a witness to Opposition unity, since prominent leaders from other political parties attended the dinner. Apart from former president Pratibha Patil and former vice-president Hamid Ansari, Communist Party of India (Marxist) chief Sitaram Yechury, and Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam’s Kanimozhi also attended the Iftar.
West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee sent Dinesh Trivedi as her representative and Mayawati sent Satish Mishra. Rashtriya Janata Dal leader Manoj Jha, rebel Janata Dal (United) leader Sharad Yadav, Jharkhand Mukti Morcha’s Hemant Soren, Janata Dal (Secular) leader Danish Ali, All India United Democratic Front chief Badruddin Ajmal were among the others who attended the Iftar along with several top diplomats.
The Gandhi scion termed it as a ‘memorable iftar’ considering the fact that leaders from different political parties joined him. “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,” Gandhi tweeted.
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. pic.twitter.com/TM0AfORXQa
— Rahul Gandhi (@RahulGandhi) June 13, 2018
Indian National Congress’ Twitter handle also shared some pictures from the party.
Congress President @RahulGandhi hosts #Iftar for Congress persons and opposition leaders. pic.twitter.com/wbhqf7jZg4
— Congress (@INCIndia) June 13, 2018
Congress President @RahulGandhi hosts #Iftar for Congress persons and opposition leaders. pic.twitter.com/wbhqf7jZg4
— Congress (@INCIndia) June 13, 2018
This was the second such gathering which witnessed the Opposition forces coming together after United Progressive Alliance (UPA) chairperson Sonia Gandhi hosted a dinner in March this year.