While the nation waited for Prime Minister NarendraModi’s address to the nation, anxiously counting the minutes before his”important message”, speculation spiralled — would it be aboutEmergency, bringing back Dawood Ibrahim or killing Masood Azhar?
As the designated hour of 12 noon came and went, jokes onTwitter gathered strength. With memories of that fateful November 2016 evening,when Modi announced the demonetisation of high value currency notes, stillfresh, jokes about people running to the ATM and counting cash started doingthe rounds.
“I would be addressing the nation at around 11:45 AM– 12.00 noon with an important message. Do watch the address on television,radio or social media,” the prime minister tweeted on Wednesday morning,sending Twitteratti into a tizzy.
The address finally started at 12.25 pm, and social mediausers bombarded Twitter with their theories while they waited.
Among them was former Jammu and Kashmir chief ministerOmar Abdullah who tweeted, “He’s declaring the results of the Lok Sabhaelections. #JustSaying.”
“Dawood arrested brought back? Hafiz Saeed or MasoodAzhar eliminated?#PMtoaddressnation,” added social media user, Sagar Rai.
Pictures of former prime minister Indira Gandhiaddressing the country to announce the imposition of Emergency were alsocirculating on the microblogging site.
“Have added my CA on the speed dial list #PM toaddress nation,” said Niharika Rana.
“#PMModi ji is going to address the nation today. Iam already at the ATM,” said a user Amir Pathan.
“Another #Demonetisation? Did they catch MasoodAzhar or Dawood? Are we taking over Pakistan? OMG I am #anxious now,”Twitter user Gaurish Salunke said.
One Twitter use posted a picture of Pakistan PrimeMinister Imran Khan getting his blood pressure checked.
“#PMModi’s announcement to address the nation justtested Imran Khan’s BP for a while,” read the caption.
“Congress has already sent a delegation to ElectionCommission to complain model code violation, Rahul preparing for PressConference #PM to address the nation,” another user tweeted.
Earlier in the day, the Cabinet Committee on Security metat the prime minister’s residence, setting off further speculation.
The prime minister on Wednesday announced that India haddemonstrated anti-satellite missile capability by shooting down a livesatellite, describing it as a rare achievement that puts the country in anexclusive club of space super powers.
“In the journey of every nation there are momentsthat bring utmost pride and have a historic impact on generations to come. Onesuch moment is today,” he said in an unprecedented broadcast to the nationon television, radio and social media.