BJP calls PM's meeting with Mayawati 'deal diplomacy'

New Delhi, Nov. 11 (ANI): Taking potshots at the Congress-led UPA government at the Centre, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Sunday alleged that Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh's meeting with BSP supremo Mayawati was not a routine one, and added that it was a 'deal diplomacy' before departure.

BJP spokesperson Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi said the UPA Government, which is functioning with the support of various allies, made a lot of promises before the elections.

"Now, the time for departure for this government has come and the allies supporting it from outside and inside are also aware about. So, this is a deal diplomacy before departure and now attempts are being made to clear all the internal dues," he added.

Mayawati, who met the Prime Minister at his official 7, Race Course Road (RCR) residence here today, said that the meeting should not be linked to the upcoming Winter Session of Parliament.

Mayawati, who called it a routine meeting, said that it was not for the first time that she had been invited for lunch.

"It is not for the first time, I have earlier also on several occasions come for lunch and dinner. The honourable Prime Minister invited me for lunch and in politics lunches and dinners do take place. Don't link my meeting with the Prime Minister with the upcoming Winter Session of Parliament," she told mediapersons outside the Prime Minister's official 7, Race Course Road residence.

Congress Party had earlier in the day backed the Prime Minister's move.

"What is the wrong in it if the Prime Minister wants to have dialogue with somebody over the lunch or he wants to simply have lunch. It is a good thing," said Congress spokesperson Rashid Alvi.

The Prime Minister's meeting with the BSP chief assumes importance as it is being seen as one to form strategy to unitedly face any opposition onslaught on issues like FDI in retail and price hike ahead of the Winter Session of Parliament.

Samajwadi Party leader Mulayam Singh Yadav and his son Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav and National Conference leader Farooq Abdullah had already held such a meeting with the Prime Minister on Friday evening. (ANI)