Video: What happened when Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, Akhilesh Yadav crossed paths in UP

Akhilesh Yadav and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra shared the videos and pictures of the chance meet on Twitter. (Photo: Akhilesh Yadav/Twitter)

Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra and Samajwadi Party’s Akhilesh Yadav were all smiles as they waved at each other when their roadshows passed by each other in a chance encounter in Uttar Pradesh ahead of the crucial Assembly elections in the state.

The two leaders, competitors in the upcoming polls, folded hands at each other with a 'namaste' and waved amid roaring applause from hundreds of followers gathered at the rallies.

Yadav was with his ally - Rashtriya Lok Dal (RLD) chief Jayant Chaudhary - on a ‘rath’ (campaign bus), when the Congress leader waved at them. Yadav and Chaudhary returned the gesture by climbing the roof of the bus and waving at UP Congress General Secretary.

Akhilesh Yadav shared a photo from the incident on Twitter and said, "Ek dua salaam - tehzeeb ke naam (Greetings in the name of culture)".

एक दुआ-सलाम ~ तहज़ीब के नाम pic.twitter.com/dutvvEkz5W

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— Akhilesh Yadav (@yadavakhilesh) February 3, 2022

Priyanka Gandhi responded with a video of the interaction, “"Humaari bhi aapko Ram Ram (Hello to you too)".

The supporters of both parties were cheering and waving as the leaders exchanged greetings from a distance, the video shows.

हमारी भी आपको राम राम @jayantrld@yadavakhileshpic.twitter.com/RyUmXS4Z8B

— Priyanka Gandhi Vadra (@priyankagandhi) February 3, 2022

The UP elections, which start on February 10, will be crucial for the ruling BJP in the state. Akhilesh Yadav has been seen as a strong contender against Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath who is looking to secure the top post for a second straight term.

Priyanka Gandhi Vadra is leading the Congress - another BJP challenger - in the state.

Both Priyanka Gandhi and Yadav have been cordial to each other whenever they have met in person even if they heavily criticise each other and their parties otherwise.