'I believe such events must be held on an intimate and moderate scale'

George Iype in New Delhi

It is billed as the wedding of the year. But a number of senior Congress leaders who wished to witness the marriage of Priyanka Gandhi to businessman Robert Vadhera found out on Monday that they are not among the list of invitees for Tuesday's ceremony.

Thus top Congress leaders like Ghulam Nabi Azad, Tariq Anwar, K Karunakaran and Ahmed Patel, who have all these years advertised their proximity to the Gandhi family, received a rude shock on Monday.

These and scores of other Congress leaders who stayed in the capital to attend Priyanka's wedding got a carefully drafted letter from the bride's mother, Sonia Gandhi.

It read: 'It is with great pleasure that I write to you to convey the good news of my daughter's wedding. Priyanka is getting married to Robert Vadhera, who is the son of Rajinder and Maureen Vadhera. The wedding is to take place on 18th February.

'Though it is my desire to share my happiness with all the friends and well-wishers of my family, in particular those who have given us so much affection and support through the years, I believe that such events ought to be held on a moderate and intimate scale.

'I, therefore, plan to have a small celebration with a limited number of close family members from each side. I trust that you will understand my sentiments and that Priyanka and Robert will have your good wishes and blessings for their new life together.'

Signed by Sonia, the letter has put to rest heated discussion among the capital's social and political elite on who would witness the much-awaited marriage.

A friend of the Gandhi family said not more than a hundred guests have been invited to the ceremony as the Special Protection Group felt a big crowd would be a security threat to Sonia and her children.

Among the few politicians who will bless the couple are President Dr Shankar Dayal Sharma, Vice-President K R Narayanan, Prime Minister H D Deve Gowda and Congress president Sitaram Kesri.