How Modi is undermined by more than a hug and a wink from Rahul Gandhi

Lacklustre except when insulting opponents, PM Modi came across as a top-class bore in his one-hour soliloquy, reading out a laundry list of his government's achievements, often unsupported by data

Congress President Rahul Gandhi’s intervention in the no-confidence motion against the Narendra Modi government was undoubtedly combative and effective. He spoke extempore and displayed unexpected confidence.

The prime minister’s soliloquy lasted over an hour. Lacklustre except when insulting his opponents, he came across as a top-class bore reading out a laundry list of his government’s achievements, often unsupported by data.

The stage belonged to Rahul Gandhi for once.

He both surprised and enthused his supporters with his performance at a time when most had no high expectations of him as a public speaker. These are not small gains for a