Mukesh Ambani-owned CNBC-TV18 on Wednesday announced that Prime Minister Narendra Modi would address the nation at 8 PM tonight, triggering panic among people, who feared the announcement of another nationwide lockdown.
However, CNBC-TV18 soon deleted its tweet and issued a clarification stating that the news on Modi’s address to the nation was wrong. It said, “CORRECTION | No address by the Prime Minister today; error is regretted.”
While the clarification came as a huge respite for panic-stricken public, but Twitter soon erupted with meme fest.
@CNBCTV18News you just gave a mild heart attacks to thousands #lockdown #covid19 https://t.co/32D0ywfNmG pic.twitter.com/eEqkEWBJj5
— Vyanktesh Bajaj (@vyankteshb) March 24, 2021
https://t.co/kBp60zYilA pic.twitter.com/nt6BVzXpli
— ??. ???????????? ?????? (@Your_Levodopa) March 24, 2021
— A&S L (@asllnl) March 24, 2021
It seems the Mukesh Ambani-owned media outlet mistook Modi’s last year’s tweet, also published on 24 March, announcing his plans to address the nation as today’s social media post. Modi had tweeted on 24 March 2020, “Will address the nation at 8 PM today, 24th March 2020, on vital aspects relating to the menace of COVID-19.”
वैश्विक महामारी कोरोना वायरस के बढ़ते प्रकोप के संबंध में कुछ महत्वपूर्ण बातें देशवासियों के साथ साझा करूंगा। आज, 24 मार्च रात 8 बजे देश को संबोधित करूंगा।
Will address the nation at 8 PM today, 24th March 2020, on vital aspects relating to the menace of COVID-19.
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) March 24, 2020
There has been a significant increase in COVID-19 cases in India, triggering fears of a new wave of the pandemic in the country. Many states are now announcing new measures to screen passengers arriving from Maharashtra, which has seen an alarming rise in new COVID-19 cases.
However, the government is unlikely to announce a new nationwide lockdown since five states are scheduled to hold crucial assembly polls between 27 March and 29 April. The counting of votes will take place on 2 May.
The stakes are too high for the ruling BJP, which is desperately seeking to oust Mamata Banerjee from power in West Bengal. Imposing a nationwide lockdown would be electorally counterproductive for Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his party.