Shiv Sena praises Rahul Gandhi, says this wasn't a hug but a shock for Modi

New Delhi, July 20: After abstaining from the no-trust vote, the Shiv Sena has praised Rahul Gandhi's speech in Lok Sabha.

Speaking to reporters, Shiv Sena leader Sanjay Raut said that "this wasn't a hug, but a shock to Modi," he said, adding that there would be more tremors like today for the BJP.

"The Congress chief has now gone graduated from the real school of politics," he added.

Earlier in the day, the Shiv Sena abstained from voting on the no-confidence motion in the Lok Sabha moved by the Opposition against the Modi government.

On Thursday, the Sena's chief whip in the Lok Sabha Chandrakant Khaire issued a whip to MPs asking them to be present in the House when the motion was discussed and support the government.

Hours after issuing the whip, the Sena shifted its stance and said party chief Uddhav Thackeray had asked his party MPs to remain in Delhi and a final decision on supporting the Modi government would be taken this morning before the debate started.

"Sena MPs have been asked to remain absent by Uddhav ji during the voting on the no-confidence motion," a close aide of the Sena chief told PTI.

Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister and TDP president N Chandrababu Naidu moved no-confidence motion against the Modi government.