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
Protests erupt as Congress candidate got zero votes in Awadhan village in Maharashtra Polls.
Fact
Congress candidate Kunalbaba Patil received 1,057 votes in Awadhan village.
A video purportedly showing protests in Maharashtra’s Awadhan village after the Congress candidate allegedly got zero votes in the recently held poll has gone viral on social media platforms as the Opposition alleges EVM irregularities following the election debacle.
Several X and Facebook users, including verified profiles, claimed that Congress Candidate Kunalbaba Patil received zero votes in Awadhan village which prompted protests in the area. Newschecker, however, found the claim to be partly false.
Such posts can be seen here, here, here and here.
Newschecker also received the claim on our WhatsApp tipline (+91-9999499044) requesting to be fact checked.
Fact Check/Verification
We began by looking up the official website of the Election Commission to find the Maharashtra Poll results for the Dhule Rural assembly seat – Awadhan village comes under the same constituency.
Congress’ Kunalbaba Rohidas Patil lost the seat to BJP’s Raghavendra (Ramdada) Manohar Patil by a margin of over 66,000 votes, revealed the website.
A Google search for relevant keywords led us to an X post by Mumbai Tak, dated November 25, 2024, clarifying that Kunalbaba Patil secured 1057 votes in Awadhan village, and not zero as widely claimed.
We then reached out to local journalist Vishal Thakur who told us, “the party workers did agitate, but Kunalbaba Patil got 1057 votes and not zero.”
Also Read: Old, Unrelated Video Shared Claiming To Show Police Action In Sambhal Amid Recent Violence
Newschecker also contacted the office Kunalbaba Patil, who provided us with the polling data sheet. It clearly showed that the Congress candidate secured a total of 1057 votes in booth number 247, 248, 249 and 250 belonging to Awadhan village. The same can be seen below.
In a series of X posts, the District Information Office, Dhule also called out the misinformation, clarifying that Patil received 1057 votes in Awadhan village.
Conclusion
Hence, Congress candidate Kunalbaba Patil received 1057 votes in Awadhan village in the recently held Maharashtra Polls.
Result: Partly False
Sources
X Post By Mumbai Tak, Dated November 25, 2024
Conversation With Local Journalist Vishal Thakur
Correspondence With The Office Of Kunalbaba Patil
X Post By District Information Office, Dhule, Dated November 25, 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.
