Rahul Gandhi hasn't been home long, but he is already the top trend on Twitter. Or at least #RahulReturns is.
The Congress vice-president returned home today after a 57-day sabbatical.
In his absence, Twitterrati had a lot to say and speculate in 144 words and he trended several times, beginning February 16, when the Congress said that the 44-year-old had taken a leave of absence to "introspect" on his future and that of the party.
#RahulOnLeave trended for three days as did #WhereIsRahul; the Congress did not share where Mr Gandhi was, saying only that he had gone abroad.
There was much speculation on which country the Congress leader had chosen for his introspection.
There were a few false starts too. The Congress did its leader no favour by first declaring that he would be back in the first week of March.
When he did not, a "Rahul missing" notice went up on social media.
Mr Gandhi put off his return several times in the last month.
On Wednesday, author Chetan Bhagat tweeted:
If Rahul Gandhi is not coming can he at least send his slippers or something so Congress can place them at the throne and run the party?
- Chetan Bhagat (@chetan_bhagat) April 15, 2015When he finally did return today, Twitter has exploded, mostly with jokes at his expense.
All I'm saying is he's been relaunched so many times, this better be a 13 Inch Gold, Rahul Gandhi Air with Retina Display.
- Vir Das (@thevirdas) April 16, 2015"Yo man! Your agyaat-vaas is just as good as ours!" Pandavas to Rahul. #RahulReturns
- Roflindian 2.0 (@Roflindian) April 16, 2015Resurrection of Rahul Gandhi after 56 days > Resurrection of Christ after 3 days. Happy Easter Congress #RahulReturns
- Unintentional Bully (@bwoyblunder) April 16, 20151. Congressis waiting for RaGa 2. Congressis now : Areeee ohhh RaGa Deva #PappuReturns pic.twitter.com/PKN6poNlF6
- Miss_Me (@sonali_pinki) April 15, 2015Perfect timing ! Modi Saheb in Canada. And Rahul Baba headed home!
- Shobhaa De (@DeShobhaa) April 16, 2015Twitteratti are also having a field day playing "guess what Rahul did.":
#rahulreturns after completing his Masters in Political Science from IIN. Interesting na wiish we all got such degree in 2 month holidays!!
- Gayatri Reddy (@Gayatritwit) April 16, 2015#PappuReturns with detail study on indian agriculture problems pic.twitter.com/itifYQIr9s
- Life Is Fun (@Being_Dhiraj) April 16, 2015Some sound seriously excited:
Woh aa gaya! Thank God! (from a cartoonist) #rahulreturns
- Satish Acharya (@satishacharya) April 16, 2015#RahulGharWapsi Today should be declared a national holiday!!!
- ASHISH JACOB JAMES (@ashishjacobjame) April 16, 2015#AchheDin for BJP #PappuReturns
- Nivedita (@ExSecular) April 16, 2015Twitter also said that others may not cheer the news:
#AchheDin for BJP #PappuReturns
- Nivedita (@ExSecular) April 16, 2015Pic 1: #PappuReturns Pic 2: #AfterPappuReturns pic.twitter.com/iRAuxkUzvK
- Jaini (@manichejain) April 16, 2015Expression of Congressis right now #PappuReturns pic.twitter.com/vdjJqAi9gL
- Champ-u-terology (@BolshoyBooze) April 16, 2015Track Latest News Live on NDTV.com and get news updates from India and around the world
