On the morning of June 4, 2024, the news anchors at Indra's most-watched television station opened their broadcast with a grave tone.
Although today was the day of the much-anticipated election result, even they were pushed to the corner for a bit since the headlines were dominated by another urgent matter.
The screen displayed graphics of an ominous downward arrow against a backdrop of the National Stock Exchange logo, signaling a financial disaster that had shaken the nation.
"Good morning, Indra. We begin with the breaking news: the stock market has plunged dramatically, leading to the suspension of trading on the National Stock Exchange," the lead anchor reported, her voice steady yet somber.
"In a stunning turn of events, what began as a bullish rally quickly devolved into a severe bearish trend, culminating in unprecedented losses that have forced the government's intervention."
As the camera zoomed in on the anchor, she continued, "The fundamentals of the stock market dictate that fluctuations are part of the trading landscape. However, yesterday's collapse has caught even the seasoned investors off guard. Analysts had anticipated a correction after a prolonged period of growth, but nobody foresaw the market to slump so violently."
The screen flashed to a graph depicting the sharp decline in stock prices, highlighting the dramatic shift from optimism to despair. "In just a matter of hours, billions of dollars have been wiped off the market," the anchor elaborated, her expression grave.
"Preliminary estimates suggest that approximately $250 billion have been lost in market capitalization, with institutional investors and billionaires bearing the brunt of the impact. This crash isn't just a market fluctuation; it represents a seismic shift in Indra's financial landscape."
As the report continued, the anchor explained how the crash had sent shockwaves through the upper echelons of the business community. "Many top executives and high-profile investors are scrambling to assess the damage, and it is evident that this disaster had disproportionately affected the wealthy elite.
"While institutional investors saw their portfolios shrink dramatically, the middle-income individuals who participated in the stock market with more conservative strategies seem relatively unscathed. The trades that were executed before the crash provided them a buffer, while those who held onto their stocks are now facing steep losses."
The images of distraught businessmen pacing their lavish offices filled the screen, their faces reflecting the turmoil. "The implications are dire," the anchor added. "Several billionaires have reported losses exceeding $50 million each, with some losing even more.
The numbers flashed across the screens in the room, showing millions vanishing in an instant. The losses for the Indra National Alliance alone were staggering—an estimated $700 million.
The Indra People Party fared even worse, facing losses of around $20 billion.
"However, this isn't entirely bad," a chuckle echoed in the room as everyone turned to the man in his 50s, the head of Indra National Alliance.
"With this, we can trap the so-called blind masses to our side. Create a situation of fallout and crisis. We have managed to secure 240 seats out of 540. All in all, we are in a win-win situation."
"The time for our rise isn't far."
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As the shockwaves from the election results and market collapse settled, conversations spread like wildfire. Politicians and analysts scrambled to make sense of the chaos, each trying to pinpoint the cause of their downfall. In coffee shops, offices, and the corridors of power, whispers echoed with uncertainty.
And out of most, the one to take a shit ton of blame was none other than the current ruling party.
"Who could be behind this?" one politician asked, furrowing his brow. "Is it a foreign power meddling in our affairs, or do we have a traitor among us?"
"Something feels off," another replied, shaking his head. "This can't just be a coincidence. There must be someone who is pulling the strings."
As the speculation swirled, one figure remained quiet—Amit Sharma, who had been observing the conversations, weighing the evidence in his mind. Finally, he decided it was time to speak up.