Leading from the front
The Gambits
February 16, 2003: Sonia Gandhi's dinner for opposition unity. Invitees: Mulayam Singh Yadav, Sharad Pawar, Chandra Shekhar, Deve Gowda and Laloo Prasad Yadav.
September 23, 2003: The first leader to call on a stroke-hit, forgotten Kanshi Ram in hospital
November 15, 2003: Ram Vilas Paswan, Ajit Singh, and SP and RJD members attend her iftaar.
January 15, 2004: Meets Sharad Pawar at his Delhi residence.
January 15, 2004: 'Opts' out of the PM race, says decision will be consensual
February 6, 2004: Lunch for prospective friends—BSP, SP, NCP, DMK, CPI(M), JD(S) and Chandra Shekhar
February 14, 2004: Meets Karunanidhi and clears DMK in Rajiv assassination
May 12, 2004: Speaks to Deve Gowda on phone, meets Anil Ambani
The...
