File photo of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. (AFP Photo)
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has a busy work schedule tomorrow which may prevent him from attending President Pranab Mukherjee's huge Iftar party, said sources. Last year, the PM had skipped the reception at Rashtrapati Bhawan because of an official engagement in Mumbai.
Sources said Mr Modi is scheduled to meet tomorrow evening with Chief Ministers of North Eastern states.
But sources in the Congress, which governs five of the eight states in question, said its Chief Ministers have urged the PM to reschedule the session so that he can attend the President's dinner. That request is the Congress' attempt at calling out the PM - the party says Mr Modi once again wants to avoid being seen at an event that honours a huge Muslim tradition.
A statement from the PM's office said," Important development projects related to these states and the entire North-Eastern region are likely to figure in this meeting."
Last year, the PM and most cabinet ministers were not present at the President's dinner. Home Minister Rajnath Singh attended the event.
Iftar parties mark the breaking of the day's fast during the Muslim holy month of Ramzan.
Critics had said the PM's absence undermined the spirit of secularism.
The government had said Mr Modi was committed to an official visit to Mumbai.