Amid new bonhomie between Congress and Samajwadi Party, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh invited Mulayam Singh Yadav for UPA's dinner to be held on Saturday to celebrate completion of one year in government.
However, Yadav, in a polite regret letter sent today, said he would have liked to attend the dinner but would not be able to make it because of his party's National Executive in Kolkata beginning tomorrow, sources said.
The Prime Minister sent the invitation letter about eight days back to the SP chief whose party is an outside supporter of the UPA government.
In his reply, Yadav thanked Singh for the invitation and extended "heartiest congratulations" for completing one year in office and "best wishes" for the future.
"However, despite my wish, I will not be able to attend the dinner because of my party's National Executive in Kolkata on May 21, 22 and 23," sources quoted the SP chief's letter as reading.
"This should not be taken as otherwise," Yadav added.
Apparently to underline that Yadav had not turned down the invitation, SP sources said the party had convened the National Executive about 20 days back, well ahead of Singh's letter.
The Prime Minister's invitation and the friendly regret letter from Yadav assumes significance as it comes in the backdrop of SP's support to the government during the recent cut motion and the introduction of controversial Nuclear Liability Bill in the Lok Sabha.
SP's support came despite months of bickerings between the party and the government. Earlier, the SP had, along with Left parties, RJD and some other parties, indulged in a bitter campaign against the government, particularly on issues like price rise and Women's Reservation Bill. PTI
