PM Modi and Rahul Gandhi Shake Hands After Om Birla’s Election as Lok Sabha Speaker

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Leader of the Opposition Rahul Gandhi shared a notable moment in Parliament as they shook hands following the election of Om Birla as the Speaker of the 18th Lok Sabha. The election, conducted via voice vote due to a lack of consensus between the ruling NDA and opposition INDIA bloc, marked a rare occurrence in parliamentary history. In a video shared by ANI, Modi and Gandhi were seen congratulating Birla before exchanging smiles and handshakes. Alongside Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju, they escorted Birla to the Speaker’s chair.

Modi expressed confidence in Birla’s leadership for the next five years, calling his tenure a potential “golden period” in parliamentary history. Gandhi, in his remarks, emphasized the opposition’s role in representing the voices of India’s people and pledged cooperation in the House’s functioning. He highlighted the need for trust-based cooperation to uphold the Constitution and ensure effective representation.

The election of Om Birla as Speaker follows historical precedents set in 1952, 1967, and 1976, where voice votes were similarly employed due to parliamentary impasses. This pivotal moment sets the stage for collaborative governance amid diverse political mandates.