In an unexpected turn of events during the 18th session of the Lok Sabha, a moment of camaraderie between two political stalwarts caught everyone’s attention. Newly appointed Leader of the Opposition, Rahul Gandhi, extended a handshake to Prime Minister Narendra Modi in the well of the House following the election of BJP MP Om Birla as Speaker.
This notable exchange unfolded after pro-tem Speaker Bhartruhari Mahtab announced Birla’s victory through a voice vote. In a gesture that surprised many, Gandhi approached PM Modi, and the two leaders shook hands before escorting Birla to the Speaker’s chair.
The incident harked back to a memorable moment in the Lok Sabha from 2018. During the debate on the No-Confidence Motion against the NDA government, Rahul Gandhi famously crossed the aisle to hug PM Modi after delivering his speech. Following the hug, PM Modi called Gandhi back, shook his hand, and exchanged a few words, adding an unexpected touch of cordiality to the proceedings.
Adding a touch of levity to the serious atmosphere, Gandhi was seen winking at a fellow Congress Member of Parliament shortly after the hug and handshake with PM Modi.
Reflecting on this moment in his final speech in Parliament before the 2019 Lok Sabha elections, PM Modi humorously remarked on Gandhi’s gesture: “I came here for the first time and learned many things. For the first time, I realized the difference between gale lagna and gale padna (an embrace and someone throwing themselves at you).”
The prime minister also quipped, “I saw for the first time that there are aankhon ki gustakhiyan (mischief of the eyes) in the house.”
These interactions, marked by unexpected displays of warmth and humor, offer a rare glimpse into the personal dynamics between two of India’s prominent political figures.