New Delhi buzzed with an unexpected moment of camaraderie in the Parliament premises on Wednesday. Congress MP Shashi Tharoor, deep in a phone conversation while descending the stairs, suddenly lost his footing. Quick as a flash, Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav, standing nearby, extended a steadying hand to prevent a fall.
The heartwarming clip quickly went viral across social media platforms, capturing the instant Tharoor slipped on the steps. Akhilesh’s prompt intervention turned a potential mishap into a display of cross-party support. The two leaders even exchanged a few words before Akhilesh guided Tharoor down the remaining stairs, hand in hand.
Concern for Tharoor’s well-being rippled through political circles and beyond. But the MP himself quelled worries by sharing the video on X (formerly Twitter). With characteristic eloquence, he captioned it: ‘The lamp that must burn in the storm has to tread carefully. I’m fine.’
Tharoor’s poetic flourish has sparked interpretations, with many seeing it as a metaphor for navigating political turbulence. This incident unfolds against a backdrop of heightened tensions in Parliament, including a separate confrontation between Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi and Union Minister Ravneet Singh Bittu.
Gandhi reportedly called Bittu a ‘traitor’ during a heated exchange in the Lok Sabha complex. Despite offering a handshake, Bittu walked away, fueling outrage from BJP ranks. Seven Delhi BJP MPs condemned Gandhi’s remark as an attack on Sikh identity, demanding an apology.
As Parliament sessions intensify, such moments remind us of the human side of politics amid fierce rivalries. Tharoor’s resilience and Akhilesh’s gesture stand out, offering a rare glimpse of unity.