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Journalism of Courage
In a first signal from the Congress, indicating it8217;s warming up to the Samajwadi Party8217;s SP positive overtures over the past few weeks, the Congress-led UPA Government has invited SP leaders to its dinner marking the anniversary of its coming to power on May 22. The list of invitees from SP includes Amar Singh, Ram Gopal Yadav and Mohan Singh.
The invitation marks a break from last year when relations between the SP and the Congress had hit the bottom in the wake of UP Assembly elections where the Congress fiercely campaigned against party chief and then UP Chief Minister Mulayam Singh Yadav. The SP leaders were not even invited for the anniversary dinner last year, unlike the previous two years when they had received formal invitations.
8220;We have been invited by the Government to the dinner this time and we will attend it. Last year, apparently in the heat of UP Assembly elections, we were not invited. Before that, we have attended this annual feature twice,8221; said SP chief-whip in Lok Sabha Mohan Singh to The Indian Express.
The invitation holds significance as it will be the last formal dinner by the Government that would be attended by SP general secretary and a key Mulayam aide Amar Singh along with top Congress leaders.
The relations between the two parties only recently started warming up after the SP sounded a truce call in view of the general elections.
Bahujan Samaj Party leaders have also been invited for the dinner.
