Nepali Congress President Sushil Koirala skipped a lunch organised by President Bidhya Devi Bhandari on the occasion of Maghe Sakranti on Friday.

The President had invited top leaders of all political parties represented in Legislature-Parliament to her residence in order to exchange greetings.

Former Prime Minister and senior Nepali Congress leader Sher Bahadur Deuba also did not participate in the event. NC Vice-president Ram Chandra Poudel, however, attended the programme.

Koirala had also skipped a similar gathering organised by President Bhandari earlier.

It was just a political gathering, said UCPN (Maoist) Vice-chairman Narayan Kaji Shrestha, who was present in the gathering. He said a few political matters were also discussed on the occasion.

Sources said the President had made telephone conversation with Koirala twice but the latter expressed inability to attend the programme saying that he was suffering from asthma.

During the luncheon meeting, president also inquired leaders about latest political situations of the country as well as ongoing talks between the government and the agitating Madhes-based parties and its possible outcomes.