Opposition leaders, former president Pranab Mukherjee attend Rahul Gandhi's Iftar party

The Congress did not hold an Iftar party, which marks the customary breaking of the day-long fast in the holy month of Ramzan, during the past two years.

Pic courtesy: Twitter/@INCIndia

New Delhi: Rahul Gandhi on Wednesday hosted an Iftar party at a local luxury hotel, which was attended by Congress and opposition leaders. Former presidents Pratibha Patil and Pranab Mukherjee, former vice president Hamid Ansari, former PM Manmohan Singh, Congress leaders Mallikarjun Kharge, P Chidambaram, AK Antony, Ashok Gehlot, Ghulam Nabi Azad, Anand Sharma, Sheila Dikshit, Shashi Tharoor, Janardan Dwivedi and Shivraj Patil were among those present at the event.

Among the opposition leaders who attended were - CPI(M) leader Sitaram Yechury, Loktantrik Janata Dal party's Sharad Yadav, DMK leader Kanimozhi, Trinamool Congress' Dinesh Trivedi, Bahujan Samaj Party leader Satish Chandra Mishra, Nationalist Congress Party's DP Tripathi and Jharkhand Mukti Morcha leader Hemant Soren.

Some diplomats too were present present on the occassion.

Good food, friendly faces and great conversation make for a memorable Iftar! We were honoured to have two former Presidents, Pranab Da & Smt Pratibha Patil ji join us, along with leaders from different political parties, the media, diplomats and many old & new friends. pic.twitter.com/TM0AfORXQa

— Rahul Gandhi (@RahulGandhi) June 13, 2018

Former Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh greets Former President Pratibha Patil, and opposition leaders @SharadYadavMP & @SitaramYechury during the #Iftar organised by Congress President @RahulGandhi pic.twitter.com/hiaOKKbxqY

— Congress (@INCIndia) June 13, 2018

Distinguished guests share a meal at the #Iftar organised by Congress President @RahulGandhi pic.twitter.com/AclyX3q0mw

— Congress (@INCIndia) June 13, 2018

Guests share a moment with Congress President @RahulGandhi at the #Iftar organised by him pic.twitter.com/Xg1eZZkaPF

— Congress (@INCIndia) June 13, 2018

Guests share a light hearted moment with Former Presidents Pranab Mukherjee & Pratibha Patil at the #iftar hosted by Congress President @RahulGandhi pic.twitter.com/lZXsLjW3RP

— Congress (@INCIndia) June 13, 2018

Notably, Mukherjee, who was in the eye of a storm and the butt of criticism from some Congress leaders for going to the RSS headquarters, greeted those present at the function as he moved among the guests. Rahul welcomed him and other guests. There was even speculation whether Mukherjee would be invited, but the party issued an official statement to set at rest any such reports by saying that the former president has indeed been invited. He left after a while.

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Multiple media houses have raised questions on Iftaar invite to @CitiznMukherjee on behalf of Congress President.

Congress President has extended an invite to Sh. Pranab Mukherjee & he has graciously accepted. Hope this will set to rest unwarranted speculation.

— Randeep Singh Surjewala (@rssurjewala) June 11, 2018

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To set the record straight, May I point out that Pranab Dada had attended the last Iftar get together organised by then Congress President, Smt. Sonia Gandhi too.

Bereft of unwarranted issues, let compassion & friendship for all guide us in the holy month of Ramadan.

— Randeep Singh Surjewala (@rssurjewala) June 11, 2018

This is the first ever Iftar party to be hosted by Rahul as Congress president. The party did not hold Iftar, which marks the customary breaking of the day-long fast in the holy month of Ramzan, during the past two years. In 2015, the then Congress president Sonia Gandhi had hosted the feast at that time. The party conventionally invites leaders of all faiths to the event as also top diplomats.

Prior to 2016, the Congress used to host Iftar in one way or the other. When the party was in power, the then PM Singh used to organise the event. Sonia hosted Iftar until the party decided to skip the event in 2016 and 2017.

(With PTI inputs)