Prime Minister Narendra Modi took the Opposition and Congress chief head on in the Lok Sabha, saying that the no-confidence motion against the government was not a test for him, but one for the Congress and friends, hinting at the fragile opposition unity ahead of the 2019 election.

Modi also took a dig at Rahul Gandhi for his surprising walk across the aisle and hug, saying that it showed that the Congress chief was in a hurry to unseat him.

“Some people are in a rush to get to the treasury benches. What is your hurry? Only 125 crore people of this country can do that,” he said.

Rahul Gandhi had earlier in the day hugged the Prime Minister, giving cameras a moment for posterity.

He had also attacked the government for the Rafale deal, hinting at massive corruption in the deal.

But Modi was handed a boost by the French government, which said that the 2008 agreement between the two nations legally binds protection of classified information.

Key points about Andhra

I had told Naidu that he is getting stuck with YSR. Now I’m seeing that the problem is domestic but the platform being used is the Parliament.

“We gave Andhra a special package instead of the special status, which the CM of Andhra Pradesh had accepted in full knowledge. Now you are coming under the influence of YSR,” says PM Modi, referring to Jagan Reddy’s campaign on the special status that has rekindled the whole debate.

Andhra Pradesh was divided for political gain. Naidu and KCR were earlier fighting over the bifurcation and then TRS showed maturity.

PM Modi attempts to placate the protesting TDP leaders who have moved the no-confidence motion against the govt, says, “Telugu meri maa hai.”