Rahul Gandhi's wink showed how childish the hug was: PM Modi

Prime Minister Narendra Modi said that Congress President Rahul Gandhi's wink at his colleague right after hugging him in the Parliament last month proved how childish his stunt was.

"It is for you to judge whether it was a childish act or not. And if you are unable to decide that, watch the wink and you will get the answer," Prime Minister Narendra Modi said in an exclusive interview to ANI on Saturday.

Gandhi had hugged PM Modi during the No-Confidence Motion against the NDA government. Later, Rahul Gandhi was seen winking at a fellow Congress Member of Parliament.

Continuing with his jibe at the Congress President, Prime Minister Modi said, "I am a humble kamdaar. I am nothing compared to the naamdaars of this country. They decide whom to hate when to hate, whom to love and how to make a show out of it. A kamdaar like me cannot have a say in it."

Earlier, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath also labeled Gandhi's hug as an "extremely childish act". Union Minister Rajnath Singh also hit out at Gandhi saying that he "began a Chipko movement after hugging PM Modi in the parliament".

Meanwhile, Gandhi attacked the Bhartiya Janata Party on Monday over the Rafale aircraft deal between India and France.

While addressing a rally in Karnataka's Bidar district, Gandhi reiterated that the Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman has lied to the nation about the deal. He further added that the French President has also denied her claims.

Gandhi said, "Nirmala Sitharaman Ji has lied to the youth of the nation. She said India and France have a secret pact and so they can't reveal the price of Rafale aircraft. I asked France President if this is true and he denied".

Gandhi further challenged the prime minister for debating with him over the Rafale deal.