NEW DELHI He is known for his hugs, but this was one hug Prime Minister Narendra Modi was not expecting.
After a no holds barred and scathing criticism of PM Modi on several issues including Rafale jet deal today, Congress president Rahul Gandhi walked across the green-carpeted well of Lok Sabha to Modi and hugged him, a gesture which took the Treasury Bench members by surprise.
Gandhi’s unexpected gesture, which quickly became a favoured video clip for television channels, came during a debate on no-confidence motion moved by the TDP against the Modi government.
Gandhi’s speech was frequently disrupted and prompting Speaker Sumitra Mahajan to adjourn the House for 15 minutes. When he resumed his speech, Gandhi continued his attack.
Just before wrapping up, he strode over to PM Modi for the now-famous hug.
The Prime Minister initially looked nonplussed and did not stand up to hug him, but recovered quickly and called Gandhi back and patted him on the back. He also appeared to say a few words, which were inaudible.
BJP MPs sitting behind PM Modi watched the brief interaction open-mouthed as the Prime Minister smiled at Gandhi as he walked back to his seat.
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“This is what it means to be a Hindu,” Gandhi said after coming back to his seat amid applause from his party members, including his mother Sonia Gandhi and other leaders present who heartily thumped their desks.
Sharply criticised for his reported remarks that “Congress is a Muslim party”, Gandhi said, “Prime Minister Modi, BJP and …have taught me what it means to be a Congress person, the meaning of being a real Indian, and what it means to be a real Hindu. For this, I thank them.”
He also said his opponents may hate him, call him “Pappu” but he has no anger, hatred against the Prime Minister and the Bharatiya Janata Party.
This is likely the first time that an opposition leader has hugged the Prime Minister in the house, especially during a no-confidence motion.
Terming Rahul Gandhis behaviour as childish, Union Minister Ananth Kumar said: He has grown old but it is unfortunate that he has not grown up. It is unfortunate that the president of Congress is so ill-informed and immature.
Akali Dal leader Harsimrat Kaur stood up and took objection to Gandhi’s hug and wondered if he was high on drugs.
Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh also took a jibe at Congress president’s sudden show of love for PM Modi and said: “Rahul Gandhi has started ‘chipko andolan’ in the Lok Sabha.”
Lok Sabha Speaker Sumitra Mahajan also gently reminded Gandhi that this was the country’s legislature and not a place for such gestures.
BJP MP Kirron Kher called Rahuls gesture a drama.
Rahul Gandhi should be ashamed, he can’t target our ministers without any proof. He was doing drama in the house and hugging Modi ji. I think his next step will be Bollywood. We will have to send him there, she said.
A little before 6 pm, BJPs Prahlad Joshi moved a breach of privilege motion against Rahul Gandhi. The BJP leader said Rahul Gandhi made ‘unsubstantiated claims against BJP, particularly against the PM on Rafale deal.
Who Said What
Farooq Abdullah: Recites Saare Jahan Se Achcha . Please don’t doubt Muslims. Muslims are as Indian as you are. I won’t speak of anything else, but Kashmir. I am Indian. Im not Pakistani. A way out should be discussed like the U.S.-North Korea talks. Not America, not Russia could defeat us. We will defeat ourselves if Muslims and Hindus don’t go together. I had my hopes on Narendra Modi that he will bring about peace with Pakistan that Atal Bihari Vajpayee couldn’t.
Asaduddin Owaisi: Does Modi government wants a Dali-Muslim free India? Lynching didn’t just happen in 1984. It also happened in 2002
Dinesh Trivedi (TMC): There is only one kind of reply to any question raised on the Government’s development claims- Hindu Musalman, Bharat Pakistan aur Kabristan Shamshan
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