Here are the most memorable hugs Indian politicians unleashed on their opponents in 2018

The Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has been infamous for hugging his counterparts on important state visits or for when they have visited India. In 2018, several Indian politicians seem to be taken in by the power of the humble hug as a political gesture, putting on their own charm offensives.

From Congress leader Rahul Gandhi hugging PM Modi in the Indian Parliament to former Congress President Sonia Gandhi hugging Dalit leader Mayawati amid ‘Mahagathbandhan’ strategy, 2018 was spiced up with these hugs or (group hugs).

Here were the most head-turning ones:

Slugfest or ‘hug’ fest?
^{(Photo Source: Times of India)}

This has to be the biggest moment for Indian politics for 2018. Congress President and main leader of the opposition, Rahul Gandhi stunned us with a sudden embrace to Prime Minister Narendra Modi in the Parliament. He walked up across the aisle during a debate and flung himself into an embrace with the PM, leaving the parliament uproarious with laughter and Twitter with meme-storms. While the prime minister seemed to be surprised with the move at first, he returned the favour -- with a hug, ofcourse!

What followed was a cheeky wink by the Congress leader. Because it was all captured on camera, it made for a series of memes. India’s main opposition, the Bharatiya Janata Party took advantage of the moment and tweeted ‘we can not thank you enough for the entertainment.’


India-Pakistan and the most controversial hug of 2018
^{(Photo Source: twitter/ @DevonG111)}

This move turned into an unsettling debate and controversy when the Punjab Minister, Navjot Singh Sidhu, hugged Pakistan army chief, Qamar Javed Bajwa amid the inaugural ceremony of Kartarpur corridor in Pakistan. In response to the stirring debate, Sidhu reportedly said that it was a ‘1-second hug, and not a Rafale deal.’

He further justified the gesture adding it is intended to foster better trade relations between the two countries.

Talking of the Rafale deal, this year Congress has accused BJP of backing Anil Ambani as industrial partner. The controversy around India’s purchase of 36 aircrafts, back in 2016.

The perfect frame! Sonia Gandhi sharing a hug with BSP supremo Mayawati

^{(Photo Source: Times of India)}

During the swearing-in ceremony of chief minister of Karnataka, HD Kumaraswamy, two opposition leaders were seen hugging each other, which is a rare site in India where Congress Sonia Gandhi affectionately hugged Mayawati, BSP leader. The picture went viral on Twitter fetching mixed responses from users.


‘The Modern Family’ — Vasundhara Raje hugs Jyotiraditya Scindia

^{(Photo Source: Times of India)}

A the oath-taking ceremony of Ashok Gehlot as the Rajasthan chief minister, a family hug stole all the limelight. BJP’s Vasundhara Raje who was the former chief minister of the state was gracious enough to accept defeat and attended the ceremony. It is where she also hugged her nephew, Jyotiraditya Scindia, who is a Congress leader and campaigned in Madhya Pradesh against the BJP.

After vigorous campaigning through the assembly elections, the two — Ashok Gehlot and Kamal Nath — defeated the former BJP leaders in Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh, respectively.