New Delhi: Congress general secretary Rahul Gandhi unleashed a charm offensive during a small break when parliament was adjourned for a short while, meeting MPs from across the political spectrum, and even arranging a quick glass of water for a Congress leader who was unwell.
During an adjournment, Gandhi who usually keeps to himself and does not move around, came out to talk to leaders - of his party and of other too.
Looking cool and composed, Gandhi was seen comfortably chatting with Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Harin Pathak.
He shook hands with Samajwadi Party chief Mulayam Singh Yadav's son and MP Akhilesh Yadav. He also spoke to Sadhu Yadav, MP and brother-in-law of Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) chief Lalu Prasad.
It seemed Gandhi was reaching out to all.
He even came to talk to his mother, Congress chief Sonia Gandhi, for a brief moment and was accompanied by young Congress leaders Jitin Prasada and Sachin Pilot.
Gandhi also came to the rescue of Surendra Goyal, Congress MP from Hapur, when he felt unwell just minutes before the crucial vote was to take place.
A Congress MP sitting next to Gandhi saw Goyal crying due to discomfort and drew Gandhi's attention to him. Gandhi immediately asked someone to get a glass of water. After Goyal had water, Gandhi asked him whether he was feeling better.
Sources said Goyal was reportedly planning to join the Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) and vote against the government. But apparently moved by Gandhi's gesture, he voted for the party.
After the voting, Gandhi again asked Goyal whether everything was fine.
Actor-turned-politician and Congress MP Ambareesh, who too was considered a likely rebel, was smoking in the parliament corridor seconds before the vote when a senior leader saw him.
He told Ambareesh to come inside to vote, to which the actor responded, "Let me finish my cigarette." He finished the cigarette and went to vote.
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