Unmissable: Video of PM Modi-Rahul Gandhi Handshake in Parliament Wins Internet | WATCH

New Delhi: It was a spectacle of bonhomie in Parliament on Wednesday as Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Congress leer Rahul Gandhi shook hands as duo came toger to welcome newly appointed Lok Sabha Speaker, Om Birla, marking a fresh chapter in 18th Lok Sabha. For unversed, NDA nominee Om Birla was elected as Lok Sabha speaker after a motion moved by Prime Minister Narendra Modi was opted through voice votes. Pro-tem Speaker B Mathai me announcement after opposition, which h proposed Congress MP Kodikunnil Suresh as its candidate, did not press for votes to motion.

After announcement, PM Modi and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju were joined by Leer of Opposition Rahul Gandhi in escorting Birla, BJP MP from Kota, to Speaker's chair, marking a moment of bipartisan harmony after a day of rancour between ruling alliance and opposition parties over poll. House elected Birla with a voice vote after opposition parties fielded Congress member K Suresh as its choice for post. 

Congratulating him (Om Birla) on his fresh term on behalf of entire House, PM Modi lauded third-term MP for his conduct as Speaker in previous Lok Sabha and also as a parliamentarian. PM Modi said Birla presided over a golden era in Lok Sabha's history as a number of historic decisions were taken during its previous term. Noting that he is first Speaker after Balram Jakhar, who was in Chair between 1980 and 1989, to get anor term after serving a full tenure, Prime Minister expressed confidence that he will continue to create new benchmarks.

When Rahul Hugged Modi

In 2018, Rahul Gandhi me helines when he hugged Prime Minister Modi during a parliamentary debate marked by intense exchanges. Gandhi left his seat, walked across floor, and awkwardly embraced Prime Minister, who appeared taken aback. Known for his bear-hugs with world leers, PM Modi remained frozen in his seat initially.

As Gandhi began to walk away, PM Modi grabbed his sleeve, whispered something in his ear, and patted him. Once back in his seat, Gandhi was seen winking at his fellow Congress MPs. Since n, BJP has cited this gesture to argue that hug was "insincere" and not spontaneous gesture of goodwill that Congress claimed it to be.

‘Hoped Opposition Would be Allowed to Raise Voice of People’

Congratulating Om Birla for being elected speaker of Lok Sabha for a second term, Leer of Opposition Rahul Gandhi hoped Opposition would be allowed to raise voice of people in House. He also said Opposition wanted House to function "often and well" and ded that it was very important that cooperation happens with trust. "I'd like to congratulate you for your successful election... I congratulate you on behalf of entire INDIA alliance. This House represents voice of people of India... Of course, government has political power, but opposition also represents voice of India's people," Congress leer said, ding that opposition would like to assist you in your work. “I am confident you will allow us to speak in House”, Rahul said. 

Pointing out that this time opposition represents significantly more voices of Indian people than last time, Gandhi stressed that it was very important that voice of opposition is allowed to be represented in House. "I am confident that you will allow us to represent our voice, allow us to speak, to represent voice of people of India." question, he said, is not how efficiently House is run, question is how much of India's voice is allowed to be heard in House. " idea that you can run House efficiently by silencing voice of opposition is a non-democratic idea. This election has shown that people of India expect opposition to defend Constitution of this country and we are confident that by allowing Opposition to speak, you will do your duty of defending Constitution of India," Raebareli MP said.