Congress leader Rahul Gandhi made headlines today with what he described as an “uncommon handshake” with BJP MP and former Union Minister Rajiv Pratap Rudy after the latter won a key post in the Constitution Club of India.

Speaking to the media in Parliament ahead of a turbulent day dominated by Opposition protests over voter lists and the Special Intensive Revision in Bihar, Rahul Gandhi spotted Rudy and approached him to offer congratulations. “An uncommon handshake between (Congress and) BJP. Congratulations, by the way,” Gandhi said, to which Rudy replied with a smile and a “thanks.”

Rajiv Pratap Rudy recently secured another term as secretary (administration) of the Constitution Club, defeating fellow BJP leader Sanjeev Balyan in one of the club’s most high-stakes elections. The six-time MP and former Union Minister reportedly received significant support from Opposition MPs in this BJP vs BJP contest, though both leaders maintained that the election should not be viewed through the lens of party politics.

The poll witnessed a strong turnout, with 707 out of 1,295 members casting their votes. Among the voters were prominent figures from both political camps, including Union Home Minister Amit Shah, BJP president JP Nadda, former UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi, and Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge, along with several top ministers and Opposition leaders.