Watch: PM Modi, Rahul Gandhi shake hands, escort Om Birla to Speaker’s chair | India News

NEW DELHI: Prime Minister Narendra Modi and opposition leader Rahul Gandhi on Wednesday exchanged a polite handshake following the election of NDA‘s candidate Om Birla as the Lok Sabha Speaker.
The two leaders, along with Union minister Kiren Rijiju, accompanied Birla to the Speaker’s chair after a motion moved by Prime Minister was adopted through voice votes.The opposition, which had proposed Congress MP Kodikunnil Suresh as its candidate, did not press for votes to the motion.
Following Birla’s election as Speaker, PM Modi extended his congratulations to Om Birla for being chosen for the position for the second time. The Prime Minister emphasized the immense responsibility that comes with holding this office during the Amrit Kaal and expressed hope that Birla’s experience would guide the House for the next five years.

“Respected Speaker, it is the good fortune of the House that you are occupying this chair for the second time. I congratulate you and the entire House. I want to congratulate you on behalf of the House. It is a huge responsibility for you to sit on this post for the second time during the Amrit Kaal. With your experience, we hope that you will guide us for the next 5 years. ‘Aapke chehre par yeh meethi meethi muskaan poore Sadan ko prasann rakhti hai’,” he said.
“Becoming the Speaker for the second time is a record in itself. Balram Jakhar got the opportunity to serve as the Speaker for the second term after competing for five years and today you are doing the same. The way you work as an MP is worth learning. Your style will inspire our young MPs,” PM Modi added.
Congress leader Rahul Gandhi also congratulated Birla and assured him of the opposition’s support in carrying out his duties as the Speaker.
“This House represents the voice of India’s people and you are the final arbiter of that voice. The government has political power but the opposition also represents the voice of India’s people and this time, the opposition represents significantly more voice of the Indian people than it did last time. The opposition would like to assist you in doing your work. We would like the House to function often and well. It is very important that cooperation happens on the basis of trust. It is very important that the voice of the Opposition is allowed to be represented in this House,” the Congress scion added.