Winter Session Ends on Warm Note as PM Modi and Priyanka Gandhi Share Light Conversation at Parliament Tea Meet

New Delhi, Dec 20: The Winter Session of Parliament, which saw frequent clashes between the government and the Opposition, concluded on a rare and cordial note on Friday as leaders from across party lines gathered for the customary tea meeting hosted by Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla. The informal interaction, held after the session’s conclusion, offered a moment of warmth and conversation beyond political differences. Among the many interactions that caught attention was a friendly exchange between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Congress MP Priyanka Gandhi. Visuals from the meeting showed the two leaders seated across from each other, with Defence Minister Rajnath Singh sitting beside Priyanka Gandhi. Their relaxed conversation stood out, especially given the tense atmosphere that marked much of the session. According to sources quoted, Priyanka Gandhi spoke to the Prime Minister about her efforts to learn Malayalam. Gandhi, who represents the Wayanad Lok Sabha constituency in Kerala, reportedly said that learning the language helps her communicate better with her constituents. The exchange reflected a personal and practical side of parliamentary life that is rarely seen during heated debates inside the House. The conversation also touched upon Prime Minister Modi’s recent foreign visit. Gandhi reportedly asked him about his three-nation trip to Africa and the Middle East. In response, Modi spoke about Ethiopia, sharing that the country is quite different from the general perception many people in India have. He said Ethiopia is making steady progress on social and economic fronts, offering insights from his visit. The relaxed atmosphere continued as Prime Minister Modi made a light-hearted remark about the duration of the Winter Session. When Samajwadi Party leader Dharmendra Yadav commented that the session was among the shortest in recent times, Modi jokingly replied that it was good for his throat since he did not have to shout for too many days. The remark reportedly left several MPs laughing and added to the friendly mood of the gathering. The tea meeting was attended by leaders from several political parties, including NCP’s Supriya Sule, DMK’s A Raja, Union ministers Ram Mohan Naidu, Rajiv Ranjan Singh, and Chirag Paswan, among others. The presence of leaders from both the ruling coalition and the Opposition highlighted the purpose of the customary meet, which is meant to encourage dialogue and goodwill after each parliamentary session. Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla later described the meeting as pleasant and meaningful. In a post on social media platform X, he said that after the conclusion of the sixth session of the 18th Lok Sabha, a cordial conversation took place with Prime Minister Modi and leaders of all parties. Such meetings, he noted, are part of parliamentary tradition and aim to promote cooperation beyond party lines. It is worth noting that the Opposition had earlier boycotted a similar tea meeting following the Budget Session this year, citing political differences. The participation of Opposition leaders this time was therefore seen as a positive sign of engagement, even amid ongoing disagreements on policy and governance. The Winter Session of Parliament concluded on Friday after 19 days, with sittings lasting a total of 92 hours and 25 minutes. Parliamentary records show that the session achieved 111 per cent productivity, indicating extended discussions and debates beyond scheduled hours. While political disagreements dominated much of the session, the closing tea meeting offered a reminder that dialogue and mutual respect remain essential to parliamentary democracy. The friendly exchange between Prime Minister Modi and Priyanka Gandhi, along with shared laughter among MPs, provided a softer ending to an otherwise intense session of Parliament. Winter Session Ends on Warm Note as PM Modi and Priyanka Gandhi Share Light Conversation at Parliament Tea Meet The Winter Session of Parliament wrapped up on a rare cordial note as leaders from across party lines came together for the customary tea meeting hosted by Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla in New Delhi. After weeks of sharp debates and political tension, the informal gathering offered a moment of calm and conversation beyond the House. One interaction that caught attention was the friendly exchange between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Congress MP Priyanka Gandhi. Seated across from each other, with Defence Minister Rajnath Singh nearby, the two were seen chatting comfortably in visuals from the meeting. The conversation reflected a lighter side of politics rarely visible during heated sessions. According to sources, Priyanka Gandhi, who represents the Wayanad constituency in Kerala, told the Prime Minister that she is learning Malayalam. She shared that understanding the language helps her connect better with people in her constituency. The exchange drew interest as it highlighted the everyday efforts politicians make to bridge gaps with voters. Their conversation also touched upon PM Modi’s recent three-nation visit to Africa and the Middle East. Gandhi reportedly asked him about his trip, during which Modi spoke about Ethiopia. He shared that the country is progressing well and is very different from how many in India usually perceive it. Adding humour to the evening, PM Modi joked about the short duration of the Winter Session. When a leader remarked on the limited number of sittings, Modi quipped that it was good for his throat since he did not have to shout for many days. The remark sparked laughter among MPs present. Several leaders from different parties attended the tea meet, marking a return to tradition after the Opposition had skipped a similar event earlier this year. The Winter Session ended after 19 days with over 111% productivity, closing on a note of conversation, laughter, and rare political warmth.