Watch: After hugging PM, Rahul says only love and compassion can build a nation
Rahul Gandhi
Gandhi's unexpected gesture, which quickly became a favoured video clip for television channels, came during a debate on no-confidence motion moved by the TDP against the Modi government.
A day after creating a splash in the Lok Sabha by hugging Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Congress president Rahul Gandhi today said that only way to build a nation was by harnessing love and compassion of people.
Gandhi's unexpected gesture, which quickly became a favoured video clip for television channels, came during a debate on no-confidence motion moved by the TDP against the Modi government.
He said yesterday's debate in Parliament on the no-confidence motion was about the prime minister using "hate, fear and anger" in the hearts of some people to build his narrative, and the Congress countering that through love and compassion.
"The point of yesterday's debate in Parliament. PM 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 (sic)," he said on Twitter.
After a no-holds-barred and scathing criticism of Modi on several issues including Rafale jet deal on Friday, Congress president Rahul Gandhi walked across the green-carpeted well of Lok Sabha to Modi and hugged him, a gesture which took the Treasury Bench members by surprise.
Gandhi gave a 45-minute fiery speech during the no-confidence motion debate in the Lok Sabha yesterday, accusing the prime minister of unleashing "jumla strike" on people in the form of demonetisation, joblessness, Rafale deal, poor state of economy, mob violence, lynching, and incidents of alleged atrocities on Dalits and women.
ThePrime Ministerdid not step back from unleashing his anger on Gandhi.
"What is the hurry to come to power," thePrime Ministerasked. "In the morning, the voting was not over, the debate was also not over. One member comes running to me saying- Utho Utho Utho..What is his hurry to come to power? Let me tell this member it is the people who elected us. That is how we have come here."
Speaking in the Lower House of the Parliament, the Prime Minister said, "I was surprised at Rahul Gandhi's excitement to come and hug me. What is the hurry? You should trust the people in a democracy. Some people are in a rush to get to the treasury benches."