Rahul Gandhi checks phone during Session

In a major embarrassment for the Congress, party president Rahul Gandhi was seen browsing his phone and later stopping his mother Sonia Gandhi from applauding during President Ram Nath Kovind’s address to Parliament on Thursday. 

Footage from Parliament shows Rahul constantly checking his phone a period of over 15 minutes during President’s hour-long speech. According to eyewitnesses, United Progressive Alliance Chairperson Sonia was seen subtly nudging Rahul, as if asking him to keep the phone down.

Later, while the President was addressing Parliament over terrorism and India’s action against it, the entire floor including Sonia started thumping the table in a gesture of support. The Congress chief not only failed to applaud, but he also stopped his mother from thumping the desk, an action caught on camera. This is not the first time that the Congress president was caught red-handed disrespecting the protocols.