Before turbulent session, PM to host dinner for UPA leaders

Bracing for an opposition onslaught in Parliament, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh will host a dinner for United Progressive Alliance leaders on Friday to firm up a joint strategy on various issues like Foreign Direct Investment that are expected to come up during the session beginning next week.

Dr Singh's dinner with UPA leaders comes close on the heels of his similar interactions with leaders of crucial outside supporters Samajwadi Party and Bahujan Samaj Party. He hosted a dinner for Samajwadi Party chief Mulayam Singh Yadav and his son Akhilesh last week and followed it with lunch for BSP chief Mayawati on Sunday.

The prime minister is reaching out to allies and outside supporters as the government faces the prospect of a motion entailing voting on FDI and even a possible threat of a No-Confidence Motion.

The Left parties have tabled a motion that will seek a vote on FDI. The main opposition Bharatiya Janata Party, its ally Janata Dal - United and the Trinamool Congress, have also given notices.

Those from the opposition who have given notices include Shatabdi Roy (TMC), Ramesh Bais, A T Nana Patil, Hansraj Ahir (all BJP) and Rajiv Ranjan Singh (JD-U).

To add to government's discomfiture, sulking ally Dravida Munnettra Kazhagam on Wednesday declined to disclose its stand on how it would vote either on such motions or the No-Confidence Motion, likely to be moved by Trinamool Congress.