Rahul attacks PM, then hugs him

It was a rare hug-and-wink situation during a debate on a no-trust motion in the lower House of Indian parliament yesterday.

 India's top opposition leader Rahul Gandhi stunned Prime Minister Narendra Modi with a bear hug in the Lok Sabha, the lower House of parliament, shortly after mounting a no-hold-bar attack on him alleging corruption in the purchase of fighter jets from France.

After the scathing criticism of Modi on several issues including the Rafale fighter jet deal during the debate on the opposition-sponsored no-trust motion, Rahul, President of Congress party, walked across the well of the Lok Sabha to Modi and hugged him, a gesture which took all lawmakers by surprise.

 Modi also appeared at first taken aback by Rahul's gesture and did not stand up to hug him but recovered quickly and called Gandhi back and patted him on the back with a smile. He also said a few words to Rahul, which were inaudible. BJP lawmakers sitting just behind Modi watched Rahul's hug with gaping mouths.

 It was perhaps for the first time in India's parliamentary history that a top opposition leader hugged a Prime Minister on the floor of parliament.