New Delhi, November 16
With less than a week to go before the commencement of the winter session of Parliament, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh’s dinner diplomacy has picked up speed. He hosted his alliance partners today to enlist their cooperation in the smooth functioning of the session and has also reached out across the political aisle to invite BJP leaders for dinner tomorrow.

Senior BJP leader LK Advani as well as leaders of opposition in the two houses Sushma Swaraj and Arun Jaitleyare the special invitees.

The PM has already hosted Samajwadi Party leader Mulayam Singh Yadav and BSP chief Mayawati, who extend outside support to the government.

With all Opposition parties having decided to corner the government on the issue of FDI in retail by asking for a vote on this policy, the ruling combine is going out of its way to mollify its political opponents. At the same time, it is also examining to counter them on technical grounds. The new Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kamal Nath is learnt to have told the dinner meeting that the government is examining if an executive order on FDI in retail can be put to vote. However, the PM has expressed his willingness to make a statement on the FDI policy and also debate the issue but is unlikely to accept the opposition demand for a vote.

While the Opposition parties are determined to isolate the government on this issue, the UPA also has to contend with its reluctant ally, the DMK, whose leader M.Karunanidhi has not been supportive of this decision. However, the government had reason to feel relieved as DMK leader T.R.Baalu attended tonight’s dinner though there is no firm commitment on whether it will support the government if the FDI policy is put to vote. Other UPA partners who dined at the PM’s residence included IUML leader E.Ahmad, RLD chief Ajit Singh, National Conference head Farooq Abdullah and NCP’s Praful Patel.

UPA sources said while the Prime Minister and Finance Minister P.Chidambaram underlined the need for taking a united stand on key issues, the allies did not raise any specific issues.

It is imperative for the government that Parliament functions smoothly as it was unable to transact any business during the monsoon session because of opposition protests over coalgate. With seventeen months to go for the next general elections, the government is keen on pushing through its pending legislative agenda.

The PM is expected to appeal to the BJP leaders tomorrow to cooperate in the passage of key Bills without allowing one issue to be blown out of proportion and that the disruptions witnessed during the last session are not repeated. It has become imperative for the UPA to curry favour with the principal opposition party as the ruling combine is is in a minority in the Rajya Sabha where most of its Bills have been stalled.