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
– Congress not contesting from Arunachal Pradesh.
– Rahul Gandhi-led Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra never entered the north eastern state.
Fact
– Congress has fielded candidates from both general elections & state elections in Arunachal.
– Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra did cover Arunachal Pradesh.
The Arunachal assembly elections are around the corner, and the polling for the same will be held on the same day as that of the general elections in the state. Ahead of the polls, multiple social media users attacked the Congress alleging that the grand old party did not field any candidate in Arunachal Pradesh to appease China. Users further claimed that the Rahul Gandhi-led Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra “never entered” the north eastern state. Newschecker found the claim to be untrue.
The text of the viral post reads,
“Congress didn’t field any candidate in Arunachal Pradesh because China might get angry and also because it will be a breach of the 2009 MoU signed between the Congress and the Chinese Communist Party.Also, despite starting in the North East,Pappu’s Bharat Anyay Yatra* never entered Arunachal Pradesh.The reason being the same. The shameless Congress is in a partnership with India’s enemy.*Vote wisely in 2024.*Do not forget the fact that *Congress is the number one internal enemy of India*”
Such posts can be seen here, here and here.
Arunachal Pradesh will go to polls on April 19 for two Parliamentary constituencies, and 60 legislative seats.
Also Read: 2024 Lok Sabha Polls- Viral Message On ‘Challenge Vote’ And ‘Tendered Vote’ Is Misleading
Fact Check/Verification
We investigated the claims made in the post one-by-one.
Congress Not Contesting From Arunachal?
A keyword search for “Arunachal,” “Congress candidates,” and Lok Sabha” on Google led us to a PTI report published by NDTV, dated March 30, 2024. It stated, “A total of 14 candidates are left in the fray for the two Lok Sabha seats in Arunachal Pradesh after the closure of the nomination withdrawal period on Saturday, an election official said.”
Adding, “Eight people will contest from the Arunachal West Parliamentary Constituency…Former chief minister and state Congress president Nabam Tuki is also contesting from the seat…” It further stated that Congress candidate Bosiram Siram will contest from Arunachal East seat.
We further found a Congress press release, dated March 21, 2024, listing Nabam Tuki and Bosiram Siram as the candidates of Lok Sabha polls from Arunachal West and Arunachal East constituencies respectively.
As per the Election Commission website, the affidavits filed by both the Congress candidates, Nabam Tuki and Bosiram Siram, have been accepted.
What About Assembly Elections?
We looked up keywords “Arunachal,” “Assembly polls” and “Congress” on Google which yielded a report by Deccan Herald, dated March 21, 2024. It stated that the Congress has “released its first list of 34 candidates that comprised 28 new faces, for the Assembly elections slated to be held on April 19.”
“We are working very hard to manage candidates for the remaining seats,” the report quoted Nabam Tuki as saying.
The first list of 34 candidates for Assembly Polls was shared on the X account of Arunachal Pradesh Congress on March 21, 2024.
Notably, the party released a final list of “INC MLAs officially qualified to contest” the assembly polls on March 30, 2024. The list featured the names of only 19 candidates.
The ECI website lists the affidavits of Congress candidates for Arunachal Assembly polls.
Also Read: 2019 Photo Of Congress Rally In Wayanad Shared As Recent
State Congress Chief Nabam Tuki reportedly “accused the ruling BJP in the state of luring their candidates with money to secure victory in the assembly elections.Tuki claimed that many party candidates withdrew their nomination papers after being offered substantial sums by the ruling party.”
Arunachal CM and BJP Leader Pema Khandu claimed that the Congress candidates withdrew because of BJP’s popularity among people.
Notably, ahead of the polls multiple Congress leaders in Arunachal Pradesh had defected to the BJP.
The BJP has won 10 seats uncontested in the state. CM Pema Khandu and Deputy CM Chowna Mein were among the saffron party candidates who won unopposed weeks ahead of the assembly elections.
No Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra In Arunachal?
A keyword search for “Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra,” and “Arunachal” on Google led us to a PTI report published in Times Of India website on January 20, 2024. It stated, “Congress ‘Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra’ led by Rahul Gandhi on Saturday entered Arunachal Pradesh from Assam. The Congress leader was received by Arunachal Pradesh Congress Committee (APCC) president Nabam Tuki at the Gumto check gate in Papum Pare district, where the flag handover ceremony was held.”
A video report by India Today, dated January 20, 2024, carried visuals of the yatra in Arunachal’s Itanagar.
The X account of Yatra also shared a photograph of Gandhi meeting people in a vegetable market in Arunachal Pradesh on January 20, 2024
A live stream of the Yatra from Lakhimpur to Itanagar can be seen here.
Also Read: Viral Whatsapp Message On ‘Pro-Muslim’ Congress Manifesto Has Multiple False Claims, Is Misleading
Conclusion
Viral post claiming that the Congress has not fielded any candidates for Arunachal elections is false. Additionally, the Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra also covered the north eastern state.
Result: False
Sources
Press Release By Congress, Dated March 21, 2024
Report By Deccan Herald, Dated March 21, 2024
X Post By @INCArunachal, Dated March 30, 2024
ECI Website
YouTube Video By India Today, Dated January 20, 2024
Report Published In Times Of India Website, Dated January 20, 2024
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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.
