On the last day of Parliament's Winter Session — marred so far by acrimony and heated exchanges — political bonhomie was in full display
On the last day of Parliament's Winter Session — marred so far by acrimony and heated exchanges — political bonhomie was in full display, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi crossing the aisle to reach out to his predecessor Manmohan Singh. This was soon after Rajya Sabha Chairman M Venkiah Naidu adjourned the House sine die.
Another show of cordiality played out in the room of Finance Minister Arun Jaitley, who celebrated Congress party's deputy leader Anand Sharma's birthday. Only a day earlier both leaders were engaged in heated exchanges on the floor of the House.
The Modi-Manmohan meet followed a row that broke out last month after the PM insinuated that Singh had colluded with Pakistan in the Gujarat polls. The Upper House lost 34 hours due to Congress demanding apologies from the PM. Jaitley later clarified that Modi's statements did not question, nor meant to question the commitment to this nation of the former PM.
As soon as Chairman Naidu signalled adjournment of the House sine die and 'Vande Mataram' was rendered, Modi walked towards the Opposition benches and reached the seat of the former premier.
He shook hands with him for quite some time and also spoke to him. Those who were around said he was enquiring about Singh's health and wished him well. He soon turned to Deputy Chairman PJ Kurien and veteran Congress leader Karan Singh, who was bid farewell by the Upper House as his tenure ends on January 27.
Jaitley, who is also the Leader of the Upper House, was seen inviting all MPs to his room to bid adieu to the Winter Session with a parting lunch. It appeared that he had specially ordered a cake to celebrate Sharma's birthday. The cake was brought by Railway Minister Piyush Goyal and it was cut in the presence of BJP chief Amit Shah, Union Ministers Nirmala Sitharaman, Hardeep Puri, Ravi Shankar Prasad and Congress MPs.
Jaitley's office chamber, which can accommodate 50-60 persons, was overflowing, with MPs coming in droves to greet Sharma. Prasad, who was a particular target during this session for his triple talaq Bill, was all smiling and took the cake after Sharma took the knife.
The ministers and MPs were seen joking and laughing at the end of the most acrimonious session.
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