Top-5 moments of Parliament:PM says, ‘Akhilesh is my friend’, Om Birla tells Rahul only his mic gets switched off

During the special session of Parliament, the Central Government introduced the Women’s Reservation Bill in the Lok Sabha on Thursday. In his speech, Prime Minister Narendra Modi referred to Akhilesh Yadav as his friend. Meanwhile, when Rahul Gandhi told K.C. Venugopal that his microphone was switched off. The Speaker responded, “Only your mic is switched off; his is on.” Following this exchange, Rahul Gandhi and the Speaker were seen smiling. Watch the top 5 moments from Lok Sabha 1. PM Modi said that Akhilesh is my friend, he helps During Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s speech, SP MP Dharmendra Yadav stood up and said that the Prime Minister belongs to a backward caste but does not care for backward communities, adding that the whole country is watching. In response, PM Modi said, “Dharmendra ji, I am grateful that you have identified me. It is true that I come from a very backward community, and Akhilesh ji is my friend, so he sometimes helps me.” On hearing this, SP MP Akhilesh Yadav was seen smiling and responding with folded hands. His wife and fellow SP MP Dimple Yadav, seated behind him, was also seen smiling. 2. Shah tells the Speaker that he is kind and should give them more time Immediately after the Bill was introduced in the Lok Sabha, Congress MP K.C. Venugopal opposed it. Speaker Om Birla said, “I have to speak on the introduction of the Bill now. It is not being passed. I will give you as much time as required later.” Union Home Minister Amit Shah then intervened, saying, “How can members speak on the merits of the Bill at this stage? They can only raise technical objections. They will have ample opportunity to speak. You are being too kind. Please give them more time. We will also respond strongly.” 3. Speaker Om Birla tells Rahul Gandhi that only his microphone gets switched off After Amit Shah interrupted K.C. Venugopal, he resumed his speech, following which Rahul Gandhi pointed to the microphone and said, “Your microphone is off.” The Speaker responded, “The microphone is on. Only your microphone is turned off; theirs is not.” After this exchange, both Rahul Gandhi and Om Birla were seen smiling. 4. BJP women MPs posed outside Parliament BJP MP Bansuri Swaraj (centre-left), Union Minister of State Shobha Karandlaje (centre) and BJP MP Sadhana Singh (centre-right) pose for the media in the Parliament complex. 5. BJP MPs bowed their heads on the steps of Parliament BJP Rajya Sabha MP from Assam Teras Gowala and BJP MP Jogen Mohan bowed on the steps before entering Parliament. Jogen Mohan also removed his slippers. ​