New Delhi/IBNS: Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi, the two arch-rivals in national politics, showed courtesy by shaking hands and guiding newly-elected Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla to the Chair in Lok Sabha on Wednesday.

After Birla, who was the nominee of the treasury bench, was elected as the Speaker, Prime Minister Modi headed to him to congratulate.

Soon, Gandhi, who is the Congress MP from Uttar Pradesh's Rae Bareli, headed to Birla, congratulated him and then shook hands with the Prime Minister.

Modi, Gandhi and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju then escorted Birla to the Chair, which the latter assumed for the second consecutive term.

The picture of the two arch-rivals greeting each other reminded all of Gandhi's sudden hugging of Modi after a heated speech during a session in the 16th Lok Sabha.

Rare election for Lok Sabha Speaker's post

Lok Sabha, the lower house of Parliament, witnessed a rare election for the Speaker's post after the government and opposition failed to reach a consensus after the incumbent refused to give up the Deputy Speaker's post, which was demanded by the rival parties.

INDIA bloc, the Opposition camp, demanded the Deputy Speaker's post in exchange for its support to NDA candidate Om Birla, who is elected from Rajasthan's Kota.

After the government and opposition reached no consensus, the INDIA alliance fielded Congress MP K Suresh as its candidate despite knowing the ruling coalition had the numbers under its belt.