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New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi stunned his over 5.3 crore Twitter followers Monday night by putting out a strange message.

“This Sunday, thinking of giving up my social media accounts on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram & YouTube. Will keep you all posted,” wrote Modi, one of the early champions of social media among his political colleagues.

This Sunday, thinking of giving up my social media accounts on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram & YouTube. Will keep you all posted. — Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) March 2, 2020

The message took Twitter by surprise, given Modi’s extensive use of social media platforms, including Instagram, to post speeches, statements, and launch online campaigns like a selfie initiative to promote the protection of girl children.

His abrupt message left followers both amused and concerned.

Former Congress president Rahul Gandhi was quick to respond, saying, “Give up hatred, not social media accounts.”

Give up hatred, not social media accounts. pic.twitter.com/HDymHw2VrB — Rahul Gandhi (@RahulGandhi) March 2, 2020

Modiji how many retweets for you to drop this idea? — THE SKIN DOCTOR (@theskindoctor13) March 2, 2020

Why? — Aarti Tikoo Singh (@AartiTikoo) March 2, 2020

https://twitter.com/karanku100/status/1234501739866275840

Modi’s last message before the surprise announcement was posted 11 hours before, and was a birthday wish to his Nepalese counterpart K.P. Sharma Oli.

My dear friend @kpsharmaoli ji, wishing you a successful surgery and a speedy recovery. May Lord Pashupatinath bless you always with good health, happiness and a very long life. Look forward to your continued contribution to taking India-Nepal relations to new heights. — Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) March 2, 2020

Also Read: Modi is world’s favourite leader on Instagram, thanks to Davos shot & pix with Virushka

Second-most followed leader on Twitter

According to a May 2019 report, Modi was the second-most followed political leader on Twitter, after former US President Barack Obama.

“Modi’s style is very crafted, so each tweet is worded to stand on its own as a message to his followers,” said University of Michigan professor Joyojeet Pal, who had studied Modi’s online behaviour.

Modi joined Twitter in 2009, when he was still Gujarat Chief Minister, and used it extensively to campaign for the 2014 Lok Sabha elections, which he won with a sweep.

Also Read: Modi brings spectacle, theatrics to prime ministership. It may never be the same again

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