Advani walks up to Sonia ahead of Parliament session

NEW DELHI: Leader of the Opposition L K Advani on Friday sprang a pleasant surprise by walking up to Congress President Sonia Gandhi just before the Lok Sabha assembled for the day.

Advani, BJP's Prime Ministerial candidate, was seen talking to Gandhi, who is also the UPA chairperson, for more than a minute.

No senior leader from the ruling side was present as Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and Leader of the House Pranab Mukherjee walked in only after sometime.

Earlier, Advani was also seen exchanging pleasantaries with other leaders, including Basudev Acharia of CPI(M).

Advani had driven down to 10, Janpath few months back to present a copy of his book 'My Country, My Life' to Gandhi.

The BJP has already given hints that the session would be a stromy affair as it would raise a range of issues. It has accused the government of "not being serious" in calling the session in the midst of the festive season and a series of assembly elections.