With a wink, Rahul Gandhi went as viral as Priya Prakash Varrier on Friday. The Congress president eclipsed all else in parliament, which was debating a no-confidence motion, by first delivering a thunderous speech about Prime Minister Narendra Modi's government, referring to himself as Pappu and then walking across to PM Modi and giving him a hug. Finally, back in his seat, Mr Gandhi turned to someone in the Congress benches and winked. Social media erupted. Hashtags trended, memes were created, jokes were made, and some disapproving eyebrows raised as well. Many of the said memes co-opted Malayalam actress Priya Prakash Varrier, she of the original viral wink, as an unwitting participant.
It seems, it just so seems, like Twitter thinks Rahul Gandhi out-winks Priya who, just months ago, had a smitten social media crushing on her after a film clip of her winking raced around the Internet.
"Move over Priya Prakash Warrier. The killer wink is here," tweeted one user while another added: "Rahul Gandhi is giving tough competition to Priya Prakash Varrier." Another one added: "Priya Prakash scared for her popularity insecurity after Rahul Gandhi's winking at Lok Sabha." And here's Twitter's verdict: "Rahul Gandhi's wink is actually better than Priya Prakash Varrier's."
Move over Priya Prakash Warrier. The killer wink is here #NoConfidenceMotion #BhookampAaneWalaHai #RahulGandhi pic.twitter.com/QkQfEM4N5f
— Akash Sinha (@advAkashSinha) July 20, 2018
Priya Prakash scared for its popularity insecurity after Rahul Gandhi's winking at Lok Sabha.... #NoConfidenceMotion
— Rakesh Dabhi (@rakesdabhi) July 20, 2018
Pappu (rahul gandhi) is giving tough comptition to priya prakash varrier @RahulGandhi #NoConfidenceMotion #Dhadak #Rahulspeaks #RahulGandhi pic.twitter.com/U2u44l0isE
— Manbhawan Sharma (@ManbhawanSharm4) July 20, 2018
Actually m Rahul Gandhi n competition dia Priya prakash varrier ko
— Prashant (@prashants51) July 20, 2018
Actually m Rahul Gandhi n competition dia Priya prakash varrier ko
— Prashant (@prashants51) July 20, 2018
RT if you think @RahulGandhi winks better than Priya Prakash Varrier.#NoConfidenceMotion #RahulGandhi #NoConfidencePolitics #KyaHuaTeraVaada #BhookampAaGaya pic.twitter.com/UUeR2PHvYE
— Sharma Ji (@Brahmanwad) July 20, 2018
I might dislike Congress for various Actions.
— Rehan Ali Khan (@Rehan_Pro) July 20, 2018
May blame You for many Inactions @RahulGandhi
But, You have a Positivity
One with Positive Vibes can Feel it!
You give us a Hope
1) That Hug was like Munna Bhai's 'Jaadu ki Jhappi to Maamu'
2) Wink Better than Priya Prakashpic.twitter.com/EXrlC11MpV
It is actually better than "Priya prakash's"! @RahulGandhi @narendramodi @SushmaSwaraj @SwetaSinghAT @RubikaLiyaquat @myogiadityanath @BJP4India @PMOIndia https://t.co/6c7WcEGJOa
— IamKeshavkatiyar (@keshavkatiyar3) July 20, 2018
Some people couldn't decide and asked for help.
#NoConfidenceMotion
— Kunal Ramaiya (@Informkunal) July 20, 2018
Who was better?
Like : Rahul Gandhi
RT : Priya Prakash Varrier
(Do RT post your vote ) pic.twitter.com/uh4kE0IlnZ
Who did it better ?
— Serendipity (@ConsiderMeHappy) July 20, 2018
RT for Rahul Gandhi
Fav for Priya Prakash Warrior.#NoConfidenceMotion pic.twitter.com/jHATPioW1I
Who is better wink at us........
— Ajant kr. singh (@ajantsingh) July 20, 2018
Answer ......
1. Priya Prakash
2. Rahul Gandhi#NoConfidenceMotion #RahulGandhi #papuPassHoGaya pic.twitter.com/thw4BUuFTY
And here are those who thought Rahul Gandhi may just have been "inspired" by Priya Prakash Varrier.
I think Rahul Gandhi is truly inspired by Priya Prakash and Munna bhaii.. #NoConfidenceMotion
— pratyasha#12 (@PratyashaPc) July 20, 2018
When Rahul Gandhi does a Priya Prakash Warrier.
— Chandra R. Srikanth (@chandrarsrikant) July 20, 2018
Forward via WhatsApp pic.twitter.com/VrbhZcRHpt
Have there any difference between the winking style of Priya Prakash and Rahul Gandhi ?
— Vivek Rai Ashish (@shivuvivek) July 20, 2018
@AanchalSingh31
What a day it's been for Rahul Gandhi. PM Modi, caught unawares by the hug, returned it with a pat on the younger politician's back. The lead into the hug-pat-wink was Rahul Gandhi's concluding remarks: "You can call me Pappu, but I don't have a speck of hatred against you." Soon after, hashtags such as #RahulGandhi, 'Pappu,' #RahulHugsModi and #BhookampAaGaya trended furiously, with even a small section of Bollywood declaring tweeting about "Hug Day."
In February this year, the Internet discovered budding actress Priya Prakash Varrier and her wicked winking skills. A video featuring Priya Prakash winking at her classmate in the film Oru Adaar Love trended for days, making the follower count on her Instagram shoot up overnight. Subsequently, she also had her Instagram account verified and now reportedly charges some Rs 8 lakhs per Instagram post.
