A light-hearted exchange between Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi and Union Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju has caught the attention of social media users, offering a rare moment of warmth across party lines.
On Rahul Gandhi’s birthday on June 19, Rijiju shared a message on X, saying, “Warm birthday wishes to the Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha, Shri Rahul Gandhi ji. I pray for his good health, happiness and a long life.”
Replying to the post, Rahul Gandhi thanked the Union Minister and added a humorous twist: “Thank you for the warm wishes, Kiren Rijiju Ji. When are we doing our jiu-jitsu session?”
The playful exchange quickly gained traction online, with many users appreciating the friendly interaction between two leaders who are usually seen on opposite sides of political debates.
The mention of jiu-jitsu goes back to the Budget Session of Parliament earlier this year. During a conversation, Rijiju had asked Gandhi about his fitness routine, to which the Congress leader replied that he practises the Japanese martial art.
Later, while speaking on the Union Budget in the Lok Sabha, Gandhi used jiu-jitsu as a metaphor for politics, saying both begin with getting a “grip” on an opponent, move to a “choke”, and end only when the opponent is forced to “tap out.”
At the time, Rijiju had responded in a light-hearted manner, saying a jiu-jitsu session could happen someday, although he generally prefers non-contact workouts.
Rahul Gandhi’s latest remark has once again sparked reactions on social media, with many users jokingly expressing hope that the two leaders will eventually have the much-talked-about jiu-jitsu session.