Video: Rahul-Modi handshake in Lok Sabha reminds of this 2018 rare hug moment

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Birla gets a second consecutive term in the chair, the fifth time that a speaker will serve beyond the tenure of one Lok Sabha 

Rahul Gandhi, the Leader of the Opposition, shook hands with Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday (Jun 26) when they were welcoming the newly re-elected Lok Sabha Speaker, Om Birla, in the 18th Lok Sabha. 

Om Birla, three-time Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MP, was elected the Lok Sabha Speaker for the second time on Wednesday as he defeated the INDIA bloc’s candidate Kodikunnil Suresh. 

In the House, Birla was congratulated by the lawmakers, with PM Modi, Rahul Gandhi and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju escorting Birla to the chair. 

Watch the video here: 

The rare and sweet gesture reminded netizens of the famous hug moment when Rahul Gandhi surprised his political foe in the parliament. 

The Congress leader walked across the green-carpeted well of Lok Sabha, went straight up to PM Modi and hugged him. The gesture took the entire House by surprise. He made the gesture after a scathing speech targeted at Modi government, during a no-confidence motion. 

Watch the old video here: 

National Democratic Alliance (NDA) nominee Birla was elected as the Lok Sabha speaker after a motion moved by PM Modi was adopted through voice votes. 

Pro-tem Speaker B Mahtab made the announcement after the opposition, which had proposed Congress MP Suresh as its candidate, did not press for votes to the motion. 

“I announce Om Birla elected as the speaker,” Mahtab said. 

Om Birla’s second consecutive term 

Birla gets a second consecutive term in the chair, the fifth time that a speaker will serve beyond the tenure of one Lok Sabha. It is also among the few occasions that an election became necessary for a post conventionally decided by consensus. 

In his address, Modi said Birla’s work as a parliamentarian should be an inspiration for new Lok Sabha members.

“It is a matter of honour that you have been elected to this chair for a second time,” the prime minister said. 

“I congratulate you on behalf of the entire House and look forward to your guidance for next five years,” he added. 

(With inputs from agencies) 

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