We can't win as many seats to come to power, says Mulayam springing mega surprise, wishing Modi a second term

"Hum log toh itna bahumat mein nahi aa sakte haen, Pradhan mantri ji aap phir pradhan mantri baney (We cannot win as many seats to come to power. Mr Prime Minister, you will again become Prime Minister)," Mr Yadav said in Lok Sabha perhaps making the most surprising political remark of circa 2019.

With UPA stalwart Sonia Gandhi on his side, Mr Mulayam Singh Yadav sprang major surprise and

Without doubt, former UP Chief Minister's praise on Modi created ripples down the political spectrum as Sonia Gandhi and perhaps also NCP lawmaker Supriya Sule were left surprised in the House.

The well televised episode in Lok Sabha - which is expected to haunt the opposition for months in the election season - has already spread like wildfire on the social network.

Prime Minister Modi had acknowledged Mr Mulayam's 'blessings and good wishes' and also reciprocated to Samajwadi Party stalwart with folded hands.

BJP spokesman Sudhanshu Trivedi predictably welcomed the statement from Samajwadi Party leader and said: "The courtesy he showed proves that he (Mulauam) has risen over and above the party politics".

"I think it is nothing but the acceptance of credibility of Narendra Modi in the contemporary Indian politics after his government gave an inclusive development," Mr Trivedi told a private TV channel.

National Conference leader Omar Abdullah only had two words tweet reactions to the episode- "Poor Akhilesh!"

Efforts have been made by Samajwadi Party sources and other opposition parties later to play down Mulayam's remarks saying the former UP Chief Minister has only tried to wish good wishes to all sitting lawmakers in the House as it was the last working session of the 16th Lok Sabha.

Mulayam's son Akhilesh Yadav lately worked out an alliance with BSP of Mayawati and had kept Congress out of the same.

Mulayam's remarks came on a day opposition leaders Rahul Gandhi, Mamata Banerjee, Sharad Pawar, Arvind Kejriwal, Farooq Abdullah and Sharad Yadav have tried to come together to work out a grand alliance.

Later in the day, Congress president Rahul Gandhi, however, said - "Well, I disagree with him. But Mulayam Singh Yadav has a role in Indian politics".