Modi acknowledged SP patriarch’s praise with folded hands and later made a mention of Mr. Yadav’s “blessings” in his speech.

Samajwadi Party (SP) patriarch Mulayam Singh Yadav on Wednesday said he wished to see Narendra Modi back as Prime Minister, leaving the Opposition squirming in the Lok Sabha and raising greetings from the treasury benches. And the Prime Minister acknowledged Mr. Mulayam’s wish with folded hands.

“I wish that all members come back to the House,” Mr. Yadav said during the last sitting of the 16th Lok Sabha, drawing applause from the BJP members.

Pointing to Mr. Modi, Mr. Mulayam said he wished that the BJP leader comes back as the Prime Minister.

Ruling alliance members heartily cheered Mr. Mulayam with chants of “Jai Shri Ram” as he praised Mr. Modi for “making efforts to take everyone along”.

Later, Mr. Modi made a mention of Mr. Mulayam’s “blessings” in his speech.

The SP, which is led by Mr. Mulayam’s son Akhilesh Yadav, has joined hands with the Bahujan Samaj Party in Uttar Pradesh to take on the BJP in the coming Lok Sabha elections.