"Accept Hug With Love And Grace": Shatrughan Sinha's New Dart At PM

What's the big fuss over an affectionate hug, actor-turned-BJP parliamentarian Shatrughan Sinha wonders in his latest tweet-strike at Prime Minister Narendra Modi. In his posts today, Shatrughan Sinha took on PM Modi over his response to Congress president Rahul Gandhi's sudden hug in parliament during the no confidence motion debate on Friday.

Mr Sinha described Rahul Gandhi's gesture as "splendid" and advised - accept it with love and grace.

What's the big fuss, hue & cry over a "Pyar ki Jhappi", an affectionate hug? Dynamic young leader of the youth & generation next, @RahulGandhi spontaneously gave a warm hug to our Hon'ble PM after his speech in Parliament. What a splendid gesture?...1>2

— Shatrughan Sinha (@ShatruganSinha) July 24, 2018

Hasn't it been the trademark of our Hon'ble PM to receive all foreign dignitaries with a HUG..so what was so different now?Let's accept it with love & grace."Zara Si Baat Ka Afsana Bana Dete Hain log, Kaise nadan hai ki sholon ko hawa dete hain log."#Hugplomacy#HugsandLovetoall

— Shatrughan Sinha (@ShatruganSinha) July 24, 2018

The prime minister had derided the hug and said on Rahul Gandhi in the Lok Sabha: "What is his hurry to come to power?" He had also said at a rally the next day that the hug was forced on him.

Rahul Gandhi hugged PM Modi during the no-confidence motion in the Lok Sabha.

On Friday, Mr Sinha, a huge critic of his own party and a consummate rebel, was seen by many as an uncertain bet when the BJP was counting the votes on its side ahead of the no-trust vote. The veteran actor ended speculation by declaring he would vote with his party against the motion. "As long as I am in the BJP... I'll support it and follow every rule including a whip," he said. Mr Sinha was among the six BJP lawmakers that were tracked by the opposition in the hope they might end up embarrassing their party at the vote.

The outspoken lawmaker from Bihar's Patna Sahib hasn't enjoyed very friendly ties with his party's current leadership; a former union minister, he accuses PM Modi and Amit Shah of sidelining him. He has often dared his party to throw him out.