Monday, May 2 2005 20:07 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

New Delhi: Parliamentary Affairs Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad's surprise box of apricots to leaders of boycotting Opposition earned him thanks but he utilised the opportunity to call them to Parliament.

Leader of Opposition L K Advani besides V K Malhotra and Sushma Swaraj, BJP (Bharatiya Janata Party) deputy leaders in Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha respectively, were among over half-a-dozen NDA (National Democratic Alliance) leaders to have received the fresh fruits from Azad's own garden, sources said.

And when the Opposition leaders telephoned Azad to thank him for the 'surprise gift', a persuasive Azad politely urged them to come back to the House.

Whether Azad's efforts would "bear fruit" would only be known after NDA's Parliamentary Party meeting in New Delhi tomorrow.