Surjeet surprised at Mulayam's humiliation charge
SP leader Amar Singh invited many jeers for "gate-crashing" Sonia's party, but Surjeet said his gesture had been widely appreciated.
Marxist veteran and intermediary of the Congress-led alliance Harkishen Singh Surjeet on Friday expressed surprise at being asked to explain the Samajwadi Party's "humiliation" at the hands of the Congress.
Surjeet, who took Samajwadi Party leader Amar Singh along to Congress president Sonia Gandhi's solidarity dinner for allies despite no invitation, said he was surprised by Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister and Samajwadi Party chief Mulayam Singh Yadav's remarks that he owed an explanation for the humiliation.
"The country wanted to see all those who contributed to the defeat of the communal forces on a united platform," said Surjeet, a senior Communist Party of India-Marxist (CPI-M) leader.
"I reflected this desire when, despite the absence of an invitation from the Congress party to them, I requested Amar Singh and (Rashtriya Lok Dal leader) Ajit Singh to accompany me to the meeting."
Amar Singh invited many jeers for "gate-crashing" Gandhi's party, but Surjeet said his gesture had been widely appreciated.
"All secular minded people are desirous that all those opposed to the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and its communal agenda should unite and face the challenge posed by these forces. In this ongoing battle, the CPI-M will continue to seek the support and cooperation of the Samajwadi Party."
The Samajwadi Party supports the Congress-led alliance but is miffed at being sidelined in the coalition formation and excluded from the government.