PM Modi mocked Rahul Gandhi over his gesture of hugging him post the latter's speech. He ridiculed Gandhi's gesture to make him stand from seat before hugging, saying ''what is the hurry to get the PM's chair''.
"What is the hurry," Modi said, while referring to Gandhi's hand gestures when he came across to PM's chair and hugged him during the non-confidence motion debate.
Modi initially looked non-plussed and did not stand up, but recovered quickly and called Gandhi back and patted him on the back.
He also appeared to say a few words, which were inaudible. BJP MPs sitting behind Modi watched the brief interaction open-mouthed as the prime minister smiled at Gandhi as he walked back to his seat.
He also ridiculed Rahul Gandhi's viral wink in his poetic style. He said that the entire nation witnessed on TV what Rahul Gandhi did with his eyes.
He also recalled Rahul Gandhi's open challenge where he had said that Modi wouldn’t have the guts to stand for even 15 minutes in a face-off with him. Hinting at Rahul's dare Modi said: "I am standing also and I am also adamant on the work I did."
Modi’s sharp riposte came after the opposition launched a united attack on BJP.
Speaking during the no-confidence motion, Modi said only the 125 crore people of the country can decide who would sit in the prime minister's chair or who can be unseated.
In his reply, Modi asked all Lok Sabha members to dismiss the non-confidence motion, which he said was driven by arrogance and Congress' attempt to test its own probable allies.
"Arrogance is behind the no confidence motion," Modi said and hit out at the Congress, saying this is not the floor test of the government but a "force" test of the main opposition party and its so-called allies.
Capping the over 10-hour debate marked with sharp attacks and counter-attacks between the ruling alliance and the opposition leaders, Modi asserted that some people are indulging in "negative" politics.
"We are not doing politics of appeasement or vote bank. We have been working with 'Sabka Saath Sabka Vikas' mantra," he said.
Earlier in the day, Gandhi had launched a scathing attack on the prime minister accusing him of being a "bhagidar" (collaborator), instead of a chowkidar (security guard), while alleging corruption in the multi-billion dollar Rafale jet deal between India and France.
He also accused Modi and his government of indulging in ''jumla strikes', saying the people were the victims of his "gimmickery".
(PTI inputs)