Mahajan told Mallikarjun Kharge, Leader of Opposition in Parliament, that she was not opposed to Parliament members hugging each other but the manner in which Gandhi returned to his seat and winked was not appropriate.
“I don't mind members hugging but one should respect the dignity of the PM's post,” she said.
This is perhaps for the first time that an opposition leader has hugged the prime minister in the house, especially during a no-confidence motion. Akali Dal leader Harsimrat Kaur was seen standing up and taking objection to Gandhi's hug.
He is known for his hugs, but this was one hug Prime Minister Narendra Modi was not expecting.
Gandhi hug took everyone by surprise. Modi too looked nonplussed but later called him and gave a him a warm handshake and murmured something in his ear.
Speaker Mahajan also also then gently reminded Gandhi that this was the country's legislature and not a place for such gestures.
Gandhi’s winking picture went viral with Twitter users drawing a parallel between the Congress president and Malayalam actor Priya Prakash Varrier who became an internet sensation with her wink from a film song, "Manikya Malaraya Poovi". Speaking to reporters, Priya said "it was a sweet gesture, I am happy adopted my signature gesture."