New Delhi, July 21: Congress president Rahul Gandhi stunned not only the government but also his party leaders by hugging Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday during a debate on No-Confidence Motion. His mother and UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi is learnt to have asked him “what were you doing?”, reported Indian Express.

On Friday, members on the treasury benches looked on curiously when Rahul Gandhi began walking towards the well of the House after his speech. They all had no idea what was going to happen. Rahul stopped where PM Modi was seated, and both shook hands. MPs must have thought Rahul was done after the handshake, but the Congress president had another surprise.

Rahul gestured to Modi to get up so he could hug him, but the Prime Minister, visibly puzzled, remained seated. Rahul then wrapped PM Modi in an awkward hug, leaving entire country stunned. He was returning to his seat when PM Modi called him back. After a brief exchange of words, PM Modi patted Rahul, and another hand-shake followed.

Rahul returned to his corner seat in the second row and winked at his party colleague Jyotiraditya Scindia who sits next to him in Lok Sabha. His move left even the Congress MPs surprised including his mother Sonia Gandhi who reportedly asked him what was he doing.

Before hug and wink, Rahul delivered a 15-minute long stormy speech, that was interrupted several times by BJP members. However, he focused his attack on issues where he felt the NDA government had failed since 2014, including the Goods and Services Tax, the demonetisation move, the Rafale deal, among others.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Jul 21, 2018 11:32 AM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).