Authors
Vasudha noticed the growing problem of mis/disinformation online after studying New Media at ACJ in Chennai and became interested in separating facts from fiction. She is interested in learning how global issues affect individuals on a micro level. Before joining Newschecker’s English team, she was working with Latestly.
Pankaj Menon is a fact-checker based out of Delhi who enjoys ‘digital sleuthing’ and calling out misinformation. He has completed his MA in International Relations from Madras University and has worked with organisations like NDTV, Times Now and Deccan Chronicle online in the past.
Claim
Photographs showing Akhilesh Yadav with Chandrababu Naidu from their recent meeting.
Fact
2019 photographs. No reports of such a meeting between the leaders since Lok Sabha Poll results.
As the BJP failed to reach the majority mark independently, all eyes are now on its NDA allies TDP and JD(U) whose chiefs, Chandrababu Naidu & Nitish Kumar respectively, are being seen as the “kingmakers” of the 2024 General Elections. While the NDA is confident of forming the government, social media platforms are rife with speculations of INDI alliance member and SP Chief Akhilesh Yadav meeting Naidu to convince him to join the opposition alliance.
In this background, multiple X users shared photographs showing Akhilesh Yadav with Chandrababu Naidu claiming that the leaders have already met. However, Newschecker found that the photographs are old, and unrelated to the 2024 Lok Sabha Poll results.
Image 1
The post can be seen here.
Image 2
The post can be seen here.
Also Read: BJP’s Navneet Rana In Tears After Poll Results? No, 2022 Video Passed Off As Recent
Fact Check/Verification
A Google lens search on image 1 of the duo led us to an X post by @ANINewsUP, dated May 18, 2019. It carried a zoomed out version of the photograph of the two leaders and stated, “Andhra Pradesh CM and Telugu Desam Party (TDP) Chief N. Chandrababu Naidu met Samajwadi Party Chief Akhilesh Yadav, in Lucknow, today.”
Displaying the same image, an India.com report from May 2019 stated that Naidu was on a spree of meeting the opposition leaders including Rahul Gandhi, Akhilesh Yadav, and Mayawati, in a bid to establish an anti-Modi front.
Also Read: Chandrababu Naidu’s 2019 Remarks On Narendra Modi Go Viral After Stellar Poll Show
We found that image 2 to be from the same meeting as well. Carrying the same image, an NDTV report from May 2019, elaborated, “Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu on Saturday met Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav and his alliance partner Mayawati in Lucknow, hours after he discussed firming up a non-BJP front with Congress President Rahul Gandhi in the national capital. He also met Nationalist Congress Party chief Sharad Pawar.”
The photograph was also shared on the official X account of Akhilesh Yadav on May 18, 2019, stating, “It is a pleasure to welcome Hon’ble Chief Minister Shri N Chandrababu Naidu Ji to Lucknow”
What’s The Current Status?
There are no credible reports on the two leaders having met since the declaration of the 2024 Lok Sabha Polls, till the time of publishing of this article. Social media accounts of both the parties do not feature any updates on their alleged meet as well.
Some outlets, attributing sources, did report that Yadav is likely to meet Naidu and Nitish Kumar. However, no such meeting has taken place till the time of publishing this copy, nor is there any official confirmation of the same.
Meanwhile, Naidu is in Delhi, and has affirmed his party’s commitment to stand with the NDA. An ANI X post, edited at 11:35 AM, showed the TDP Chief addressing the press and saying, “…I am experienced and I have seen several political changes in this country. We are in NDA, I’m going to the NDA meeting. In course of time, we will report it.”
Conclusion
We could thus conclude that 2019 photographs of Akhilesh Yadav with Chandrababu Naidu have been misleadingly shared as recent.
Result: Missing Context
Sources
X Post by @ANINewsUP, Dated May 18, 2019
Report By India.com, Dated May 19, 2019
Report By NDTV, Dated May 18, 2019
X Post By Akhilesh Yadav, Dated May 18, 2019
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Authors
Vasudha noticed the growing problem of mis/disinformation online after studying New Media at ACJ in Chennai and became interested in separating facts from fiction. She is interested in learning how global issues affect individuals on a micro level. Before joining Newschecker’s English team, she was working with Latestly.
Pankaj Menon is a fact-checker based out of Delhi who enjoys ‘digital sleuthing’ and calling out misinformation. He has completed his MA in International Relations from Madras University and has worked with organisations like NDTV, Times Now and Deccan Chronicle online in the past.
