In the joint session of Parliament, Rajya Sabha MP Ramdas Athawale was one of the speakers who gave welcome speech on the election of Om Birla. Incidentally, Athawale's Republican Party of India (A) does not have any representation in the Lok Sabha as it did not contest the Lok Sabha election recently.
But Athawale, known for his witty remarks, left United Progressive Alliance chairperson Sonia Gandhi and Congress president Rahul Gandhi smiling even though he took a dig at Rahul Gandhi. Congratulating the newly elected Speaker Om Birla, Athawale asked if it was also the birthday of Rahul Gandhi. PM Narendra Modi was also seen smiling in the session.
The Congress president turned 49 today. Taking the occasion to extend his good wishes to Rahul Gandhi, Athawale referred to the Congress's drubbing in the Lok Sabha election saying, "Win and loss are part and parcel of politics. Someone wins and the other loses."
"Rahulji, you have got this chair and I congratulate you for this," said Athawale in an apparent dig at the Congress president's loss in his stronghold Amethi parliamentary constituency in Uttar Pradesh and victory from the "safe" seat of Wayanad in Kerala
He said Rahul Gandhi had offered him to cross over from the ruling NDA to the UPA ahead of the Lok Sabha election but he refused to take the offer.
He said, "I stopped on this side sensing the direction in which the wind was blowing. Congress had asked me to cross over before election. You were calling me to your side. But I knew which way the wind was blowing."
"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 this side so easily," Athawale said. (While the remarks may sound strong to a reader, knowing Athawale’s funny tone, one can make out the intention to make a speech a like this on a lighter note once they see the video.)
Both Rahul Gandhi and Sonia Gandhi along with many other parliamentarians were seen smiling and even laughing while Athawale gave his brief speech in Parliament. Prime Minister Narendra Modi was also among those smiling at the way Athawale targeted Rahul Gandhi in his speech to congratulate Om Birla, the Lok Sabha Speaker.
