 "Jab They Met: Modi-Rahul Gandhi Lok Sabha meetings in a hug & a handshake")
A rare and unexpected moment in Parliament on Wednesday grabbed everyone’s attention as the newly appointed Leader of the Opposition (LoP), Rahul Gandhi, shook hands with Prime Minister Narendra Modi in the well of the House. This happened after BJP MP Om Birla was elected Speaker of the Lok Sabha during the ongoing 18th session.
Viral videos and images from the session captured the moment when pro-tem Speaker Bhartruhari Mahtab announced Birla’s victory following a voice vote. In a gesture that surprised many, Gandhi walked towards PM Modi and both shook hands, before escorting Birla to the Speaker’s chair.
श्री ओम बिरला 18वीं लोकसभा के अध्यक्ष चुने गए। pic.twitter.com/1JcOm7ghY2
— BJP (@BJP4India) June 26, 2024
This incident echoed a memorable moment from the Lok Sabha in 2018. During the debate on the No-Confidence Motion against the NDA government, Rahul Gandhi famously crossed the aisle to hug PM Modi after his speech. Following the hug, the PM called Gandhi back, shook his hand, and exchanged a few words with him.
#WATCH Rahul Gandhi walked up to PM Narendra Modi in Lok Sabha and gave him a hug, earlier today #NoConfidenceMotion pic.twitter.com/fTgyjE2LTt
— ANI (@ANI) July 20, 2018
Impact Shorts
More ShortsAdding a touch of levity to the serious proceedings, Gandhi was seen winking at a fellow Congress Member of Parliament moments after hugging and shaking hands with PM Modi.
Later in his final speech in parliament, before the 2019 Lok Sabha elections, PM Modi took a swipe at Gandhi’s act of hugging him in July 2018.
#WATCH Rahul Gandhi winked after hugging PM Narendra Modi in Lok Sabha earlier today #NoConfidenceMotion pic.twitter.com/206d6avU07
— ANI (@ANI) July 20, 2018
“I came here for the first time and learnt many things. For the first time, I realized the difference between gale lagna and gale padna (an embrace and someone throwing themselves at you),” said the PM.
The prime minister had also said, “I saw for the first time that there are aankhon ki gustakhiyan (mischief of the eyes) in the house.”
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