Congress president Sonia Gandhi was the perfect host at a ‘thanksgiving’ lunch she hosted for allies and supporting parties – for backing UPA’s presidential candidatePranab Mukherjee – at a five- star hotel on Wednesday.

But it was Prime Minister Manmohan Singh who used the opportunity to quietly work his charm on two representatives of sulking coalition partner Trinamool Congress on the eve of polling.

The seating arrangements were planned with meticulous attention, reflecting the current political dynamics. Trinamool chief Mamata Banerjee – who was left with no option but to declare support to Mukherjee – was not present herself, but deputed two of her party’s Rajya Sabha MPs, K. D. Singh and Sukhendu Sekhar Roy, to attend the lunch.

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Though not very big leaders in the Trinamool, Singh and Roy were seated near the Prime Minister as part of the Congress’s bid to keep the demanding ally in good humour. Apart from the 50,000 votes in Trinamool kitty in the presidential sweepstakes, the Congress managers are also eyeing the party’s support for Vice- President Hamid Ansari for a second term. AICC general secretary Rahul Gandhi and Samajwadi Party chief Mulayam Singh Yadav were the other notable leaders seated at Singh’s table.

The PM apparently utilised the opportunity as he engaged the two TMC leaders in conversation.

Singh has been trying to hardsell to Mamata – without any success – FDI in retail, forward trading and pension Bill. Keen to revive the reform process in the wake of rising domestic concerns and international criticism, the PM has been trying to reach out to the Trinamool boss, whose opposition had earlier stalled FDI in retail.

Sources said at the lunch, he praised the West Bengal chief minister for her bold efforts to tackle the Maoist menace. Singh lauded the good developmental and welfare schemes in Maoist-hit areas such Midnapore and told the Trinamool MPs that if the state launched more such projects, he would be happy inaugurate them. The PM’s praise incidentally comes close on the heels of home minister P. Chidambaram criticising the state’s handling of the Maoist issue, much to Mamata’s annoyance.

K.D. Singh later said he was asked by the party to attend the lunch. “We have abided by coalition dharma,” he added.

While PM had the MPs of a disgruntled Trinamool for company, NCP chief Sharad Pawar, who is reportedly sulking over being denied the No. 2 position in the Union Cabinet following Pranab’s departure, was seated next to Sonia. RJD chief Lalu Prasad, BSP leader S.C. Mishra and RLD chief Ajit Singh were also seated at Sonia’s table. A source said the Congress president was looking “happy and relieved” as the UPA projected a united picture on the eve of the presidential poll.