New Delhi/Shahjahanpur, July 21 (UNI) The row over dramatic interludes in Lok Sabha vis-a-vis the 'hug' episode is far from over as on Saturday Prime Minister Narendra Modi termed Congress president Rahul Gandhi's gesture as "unwanted hug" and the Congress leaders said the controversy on the same only exposes BJP's "politics of hate".
"We asked the reasons for their no-confidence but when they failed to give it they ended up giving an
unwanted hug," Mr Modi said addressing a rally at Shahjahanpur in Uttar Pradesh - a day
after the embrace episode had gone viral on social media and television channels.
In the entire controversy during the past two days, perhaps most witty remarks came from Samajwadi Party leader Akhiliesh Yadav tweeted in Hindi quoting legendary Urdu poet Bashir Badr: “Koi haath bhi na milayega jo gale miloge tapaak se; yeh naye mizaj ka shehr hai zara fasle se mila karo.” (No one would even like to shake hands with you if you will jump to hug someone with such warmth; this is a city with a new mood, hence, maintain a little distance when you greet someone)"
For his part, the Congress President tweeted in the morning hours saying his party will prove that only "love and compassion" can help build a nation.
"The point of yesterday's debate in Parliament...Prime Minister uses hate, fear and anger in the hearts of some of our people to build his narrative. We are going to prove that love and compassion in the hearts of all Indians is the only way to build a nation," Mr Gandhi tweeted.
Meanwhile, a former BJP leader Yashwant Sinha, who has turned a vocal of critic of the Modi government, took a potshot at the Prime Minister saying: "The serial hugger has been taken for a hug".
Congress leader Ashok Gehlot said the Prime Minister "has hugged various leaders during his visit to foreign countries" and wanted to know "Were they unwanted hugs?"
Congress spokesperson Jaiveer Shergill said: "Mr Modi is mocking Rahul Gandhi's hug, which was given out of pure grace. This perhaps only displays "politics of hate"."
For his part, BJP MP Shatrughan Sinha, who attended Lok Sabha proceedings on Friday, also took to social networkand wrote: ".....for me the one who stole the show was Rahul Gandhi."
The actor-turned-politician also protested a length speech by the Prime Minister during the debate and said: "One wished his speech could have been shorter...making it more impactful".
During the day on Saturday, BJP stepped up attack against Mr Gandhi and said he is an "incapable leader" to hold any public office.
"Mr Gandhi showed he lacks the seriousness that comes with the public office and also being an MP....Frivolity is not a virtue in politics....Rahul Gandhi has demonstrated to the country that he is a complete zero as far as important attributes of political leadership (including credibility) are concerned," BJP spokesman GVL Narasimha Rao told reporters.
A few BJP MPs are likely to move privilege motion against Mr Gandhi even as Lok Sabha Speaker
Sumitra Mahajan on Friday disapproved of such conduct in the House and said parliamentary decorum should have been maintained.
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