New Delhi: After a humiliating defeat in the recently concluded Bihar Legislative Council polls, Rashtriya Janata Dal chief Lalu Prasad has decided to not attend the Iftar party organised by Congress President Sonia Gandhi on July 13, said sources on Saturday.
The RJD is also trying to downplay Lalu's absence in the Iftar party by stating that no motives should be attached to skipping it, the sources said.
The sources further said that the RJD was organising a march to the Governor's residence on July 13 itself to demand that the Centre should release caste census. They added that the RJD supremo has also organised an Iftar party on the same day. It is unlikely that the RJD chief will send any of his representatives to Sonia's party.
However, RJD leader Manoj Jha claimed that SECC march and Iftaar party were planned in advance and cannot be scrapped.
This came a day after the NDA won 13 seats in the Bihar Legislative Council elections while the Nitish Kumar led alliance managed to win just 10 of the 24 seats in the state. The results also significance in the wake of upcoming Bihar Assembly elections due in September-October.
Cutting across party lines, Sonia's Iftar party will be attended by all opposition parties and is crucial to show an united opposition ahead of the upcoming Monsoon session of Parliament, which begins on July 21.
Meanwhile, Trinamool Congress chief and West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee will also skip the Iftar party but send her representatives. Sources said Mamata had accepted Sonia's invitation but communicated that she has work in Kolkata.
Another opposition leader who will not be attending Sonia's Iftar party is Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal but will send his representatives.
The Aam Aadmi Party leader will be organising an Iftar party on July 12 and it is to be seen whether any senior Congress leader will attend it.
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