Did you notice PM Modi patting RaGa's back after hug?
What's the story
A no-confidence motion against the NDA sort of added energy to Indian politics. While eyes were set on Congress President Rahul Gandhi's speech, his ending to it took the cake. While you must have seen, RaGa hugging PM Narendra Modi, did you notice the latter's reaction? After Gandhi left, Modi called him again, shook his hands and even patted his back.
Twitter Post
Look closely to see Modi patting Rahul's back
“You can abuse me, you can call me Pappu, but I don’t have a speck of hatred against you. I will take out this hatred out of you and turn it into love” - @RahulGandhi before hugging PM @narendramodi in parliament pic.twitter.com/gn0Yq8QsHT
— NDTV Videos (@ndtvvideos) July 20, 2018
*Awkward*
The surprising hug of Rahul Gandhi becomes talking point
A leader of the Opposition wrapping up his attack on the ruling party with a hug is not a common sight in Indian politics. And, Gandhi may have just scripted history by doing it. Before the (awkward) hug, the Congress leader said the BJP may call him 'pappu' and have hatred for him, but from his side, this wasn't the case.
Details
Twitter users have mixed reactions about the hug
The hug was bound to go viral on social media and soon Twitter users gave their opinion on it. Journalist Nidhi Razdan expressed shock (just like many of us): OMG Rahul Gandhi hugs the PM, while Barkha Dutt tweeted the PM must not have been expecting it. "What a moment! A hug after a scathing attack. @RahulGandhi did create an earthquake," wrote Marya Shakil.
Twitter Post
This moment is surely going to become a viral meme
when you are fighting with your sibling and mom enters the room pic.twitter.com/I7Vge8mD4I
— BuzzFeed India (@BuzzFeedIndia) July 20, 2018
The aftermath
Meanwhile, BJP claims RaGa lied in speech
Dissing Rahul Gandhi's speech, Smriti Irani said, "He had absolutely no proof but only political negative rhetoric and that itself has cost him in every election that he has fought". Meanwhile, congratulating Gandhi on the speech, Shashi Tharoor tweeted: It was a game-changing speech, tearing apart Govt's claims & ending with that unscripted hug that has literally taken the BJP's breath away.
Do you know?
All eyes now on PM Modi and his speech
Evidently, the PM was taken aback after Gandhi's hug. Since he is the last speaker, one can expect a lot of fireworks from his speech and most probably a beginning of campaign for general elections. But will PM Modi return the gesture? We wonder.