No sooner Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced that he would be addressing the nation with a message, discussions began on the social media and on television channels in Tamil Nadu as to what it could be, especially in the run-up to the Lok Sabha elections.
Immediately after the Prime Minister's tweet "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," Tamil television channels flashed it on their screens and speculations began.
Journalists based in the national capital were asked by anchors on what kind of an announcement could be expected from the Prime Minister since the Model Code of Conduct was in force and country fully geared up for the Parliamentary elections.
Quoting sources and practices followed during polls, journalists said since Modi's address was scheduled to be covered by national broadcaster Doordarashan as well, it will only be "official," sans anything to do with politics.
No key policy decisions should be expected out of it, the journalists informed and for about 30 minutes -since Modi made the announcement- the speculation did not die down.
Simultaneously, social media went hyperactive with some speculating that the message could be a follow up to "India's war against cross border terror," and related to "national security."
Some opined that no poll code could bar the Prime Minister from sharing information related to security with the people.
Others recalled that the Prime Minister had announced note ban in 2016 during an address to the nation.
While the expectations rent the air in the digital space, leaders including Chief Minister K Palaniswami and DMK chief M K Stalin were in the thick of electioneering in different parts of the state taking pot shots against each other.
Modi in his address announced that India has demonstrated anti-satellite missile capability by shooting down a live satellite, describing it as a rare achievement that puts the country in an exclusive club of space superpowers.
(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)