'Will turn you all into Congress': Rahul hugs PM Modi

Congress President Rahul Gandhi on Friday took a jibe at the Bharatiya Janata Party's "Pappu" tag for him saying that he does not hate the BJP for the same and wants to turn its leaders into Congress. Rahul ended his speech while giving a hug to Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

While addressing the Lok Sabha during the debate on the No-Confidence Motion against the government, Gandhi started off his speech raising issues concerning unemployment, women safety, farmers crisis, mob lynching etc.

His speech was intervened by an uproar from Treasury benches after Gandhi criticised Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman for not disclosing details about the Rafale deal "under pressure from Prime Minister Modi." Thereafter, Lok Sabha Speaker Sumitra Mahajan adjourned the session for few minutes under ruckus.

Continuing his speech after the break, Gandhi said: "While I was on a break, I met members of the BJP and spoke to a few. They lauded me on speaking well. This is because there are voices within your party who have the same feeling as I do".

"I respect the BJP, Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) and the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) for teaching me the importance of Congress and to be a Hindu. You may tag me 'Pappu', but I stand by my values and morals. You can abuse me, but I don't have a speck of hatred against you. I will turn your hatred into love. I will turn you all into Congress," he added.

Following that, in a much-unexpected gesture, Gandhi walked up to the Prime Minister and they hugged each other. While Gandhi was returning to his seat, Prime Minister Modi was seen calling him back and they exchanged pleasantries. The gestures seemed to ease the tempers.

The No-Confidence Motion was moved by the Telegu Desam Party (TDP) over Andhra Pradesh Special Category status issue. TDP leader Jayadev Galla began the Lok Sabha proceedings on the motion lashing out at BJP-led Centre. He said that PM Modi and Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) president Amit Shah's regime is a saga of "empty promises".