Even as his rival parties engaged in a war of statements, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister and Samajwadi Party chief Mulayam Singh Yadav tonight hosted a dinner for MPs from the state.Prominent among those who attended the meeting were former prime minister Atal Behari Vajpayee, Congress MP from Amethi Rahul Gandhi and Rashtriya Lok Dal leader Ajit Singh. The topic at the dinner table, according to official sources, was the state’s development.Emerging from the meeting, Rahul told reporters that the power situation and condition of roads in UP also came up for discussion.While Congress chief Sonia Gandhi did not attend — she was said to be indisposed — the BSP MPs stayed away. Samajwadi Party MP from Agra Raj Babbar reportedly said those who did not attend the meeting have not done justice to the people of the state. Congress MP Rajiv Shukla said his party did not view the meeting as being prompted by a political motive and added they raised the issues of law and order, roads and power situation. He said Yadav promised electrification of 10 villages and 150 hand pumps in every parliamentary constituency.
