New Delhi, June 19: Union Minister Ramdas Athawale on Wednesday had the Lok Sabha in splits when he delivered his speech welcoming new-elected Speaker Om Birla. Ramdas Athawale, who is known for making funny remarks, attempted to mock Congress President Rahul Gandhi in his speech which eventually left the entire House, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Sonia Gandhi, laughing.

Extending his wishes to Rahul Gandhi on his birthday, Athawale also took a dig at the Congress party for its poor show in the Lok Sabha elections. "Rahulji, you have got this chair and I congratulate you for this," said Athawale in an apparent dig at the Congress chief's loss in his stronghold Amethi in Uttar Pradesh and victory from Kerala's Wayanad. Gandhi lost his Amethi seat to BJP leader Smriti Irani. Shiv Sena Demands PM Modi to Ban Burqa, NDA Ally Ramdas Athawale Disagrees.

Athawale said he was asked by Congress to quit BJP led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) and join the United Progressive Alliance (UPA). "I stopped on this side sensing the direction in which the wind was blowing. Congress had asked me to cross over before the election. You were calling me to your side. But I knew which way the wind was blowing," the union minister said. Fadnavis Has Assured Me Rajya Sabha Term and Cabinet Berth, Says Ramdas Athawale.

Ramdas Athawale's funny speech in Lok Sabha:

"Now, our government will run for five years, and for another five years, and five years again. We will keep doing the good job, Modi sahib will continue to do the good work. We will not let you come to this side so easily," Athawale added. Notably, Athawale's Republican Party of India (A) does not have any representation in the Lok Sabha. Athawale himself is a member of Rajya Sabha.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Jun 19, 2019 04:58 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).