Date:20/07/2008 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2008/07/20/stories/2008072059300800.htm

National

RLD, NC invited to UPA dinner

Gargi Parsai

NEW DELHI: Prime Minister Manmohan Singh will host a dinner for members of Parliament of the UPA here on Sunday.

Among the invitees are leaders and MPs of the Jharkhand Mukti Morcha, the Janata Dal (Secular), the Rashtriya Lok Dal and the National Conference. Deve Gowda of the JD(S) and Shibu Soren of the JMM said late on Saturday night that they would announce their decision on Sunday.

Minister of State in the Prime Minister’s Office and Congress leader Prithviraj Chauhan said there would be “quite a few surprises” on the day of the trust vote from “all parties except the Left.”

“We expect support from unexpected quarters to build a cushion of votes. There will be support from all parties except the Left,” Mr. Chavan said. His statement implied that some members of the BJP, the Biju Janata Dal, the Shiv Sena and the Shiromani Akali Dal from the NDA could support the government by “abstaining.”

Late on Saturday, UPA leaders were closeted in a meeting with leader of the Lok Sabha, Pranab Mukherjee, to review the situation.