India witnesses rare bonhomie as Modi, Rahul Gandhi smile, shake hands

THEY are not known to be allies in the political arena. Be it during elections or when there are no such contests, neither prime minister Narendra Modi nor opposition leader Rahul Gandhi spares the other in terms of verbal assault. In fact, observers of Indian politics have not witnessed much of a bonhomie between prime minister Narendra Modi or any member of the Gandhi family, the power-centre of the opposition Indian National Congress, which the former often accuses of promoting dynastic politics at the expense of the country's interests.

But on Wednesday (26), the nation witnessed an exceptional moment. As the Lok Sabha or the Lower House of the Indian parliament prepared to welcome its speaker -- Om Birla -- who defeated the opponent candidate in a voice vote to hold the chair for the second successive term, Modi was seen exchanging smiles with Gandhi, who is now officially the leader of the opposition, and shaking hands with him before they welcomed Birla and escorted him to his prestigious seat in the chamber.

Gandhi, who is two decades younger than Modi and became only the third member of his family after his parents Rajiv Gandhi and Sonia Gandhi to become the leader of the opposition, wore an all-white dress. Along with him and Modi, parliamentary affairs minister Kiren Rijiju also proceeded to the podium where the speaker sits. Pro tem speaker Bhartruhari Mahtab was waiting for Birla and vacated the seat for him after welcoming him.

Read: Leader of opposition Rahul Gandhi gives sharp message to new Lok Sabha speaker

"It is a matter of honour that you have been elected to this chair for the second time," Modi said while congratulating Birla. "I congratulate you on behalf of the entire House and look forward to your guidance for the next five years. Your sweet smile keeps the entire House happy."

"I would like to congratulate you on behalf of the entire opposition and the INDIA alliance," said Gandhi, who, however, gave a sharp message to the speaker saying he hoped that the House's presiding officer would allow the opposition to speak.

Read: Why India can’t have pre-election debates like US, UK

"You are the final arbiter of people's voice. The government may have political power, but Opposition also represents the voice of the people. Opposition would like to assist you in your work, I am confident you will allow us to speak in House."

When Rahul Gandhi hugged Modi in parliament

The Modi-Gandhi bonhomie took a comical turn in July 2018 when the opposition had moved a no-confidence motion against the government which was defeated.

Gandhi, whose Congress was in a much weaker position then with just 50-odd seats and the opposition not too consolidated, made a speech in the House targeting the Modi government and then walked up to the PM's seat where the latter was sitting and hugged him with a smile.

The opposition leader, who was then the president of his party, then returned to his seat and emphasised that the act of embracing the prime minister was made to suggest that difference of ideology between his Congress and Modi's Hindu nationalist Bharatiya Janata Party. He also winked his eyes looking at someone and the gesture was mocked by Modi who said in his speech that it was there for everyone to see.

Rahul Gandhi has said on numerous occasions that the BJP and its ideological mentor Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh spread hatred and violence hatred which is at odds with India's inherent character of love and harmony.