New Delhi:
In a special gesture, Rahul Gandhi today met opposition BJP leader L K Advani in his Parliament office to wish him on his birthday on behalf of his mother and UPA Chairperson Sonia Gandhi.
"Yesterday Sonia Gandhi and Rahul had tea in Advani's office in Parliament after US President Barack Obama left. There Pratibha (Advani's daughter) told them that Advani is celebrating his birthday tomorrow and invited them for the function," Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha Sushma Swaraj said, adding that since Sonia could not make it, Rahul came to wish Advani.
While yesterday's meeting was a chance encounter as Sonia and Rahul were waiting for their vehicles after Obama had left when Advani saw them in the corridor and invited them for tea, the young Congress leader made it a point to wish Advani in person today.
Advani turned 83 on Monday but due to Obama's visit, he is celebrating his birthday today.
"Sonia Gandhi called Advani today and expressed her inability to attend the celebrations but added that Rahul might come. Rahul then called Advani and said though he would not attend the function, he would like to greet him in person in the Parliament office," Swaraj said.
Rahul told Advani that yesterday he had come to have tea on the latter's invitation but today he was here to greet him on his birthday.
The guests will be treated to a play as part of celebrations at Advani's residence.