RSS Letter Claiming BJP Will Face Defeat in Madhya Pradesh is Fake
A letter claiming RSS’ survey predicted BJP’s loss in Madhya Pradesh is fake.
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The 230-seat Madhya Pradesh Assembly will go to polls on Wednesday, 28 November. Little surprise then, that fake news related to the poll-bound state is going viral.
CLAIM
A purported letter going viral in Madhya Pradesh claims that the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), in a survey, has found that the BJP is facing defeat in the polls.
The letter addressed to Madhya Pradesh BJP chief Rakesh Singh says that according to the ‘secret survey’ conducted by RSS between 15 and 21 November, Congress is in a position of strength in 142 seats while the BJP is headed for a victory in just 68 seats.
The letter also claims that discontent against state Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan is on the rise, adding further that public meetings of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and BJP President Amit Shah are having adverse effects on the voters.
The letter is signed by one Pramod Namdev, whose designation is mentioned as Dal Pramukh, Survey Evam Janmat (roughly translates to Team Leader, Survey and Mandate)
TRUE OR FALSE
The letter has no credibility as RSS has confirmed that no such survey was conducted by the organisation.
WHAT WE FOUND OUT
Rejecting any connection between the letter and the Sangh, the note said that it is the handiwork of ‘shararati tatwa’ (mischievous elements) aimed at creating confusion and reaping political gains.
The note also said that the designation Dal Pramukh, Survey Evam Janmat does not exist within the Sangh’s organisational structure.
The note roughly translates as following:
“A fake letter purportedly written by RSS going viral on social media. The letter has been issued under the letterhead of RSS' headquarters in Delhi and is addressed to Rakesh Singh, Madhya Pradesh state President of BJP.
The Sangh is no way related to the contents of the letter. The Sangh never conducts such surveys. Furthermore, there is no designation titled ‘Dal Pramukh, Survey Evam Janmat’ in the Sangh’s organisational structure. Thus, the letter is based upon lies.
It is a handiwork of mischievous elements, looking to create confusion and garner political gains.Such inappropriate activities are attempted by those who don't trust the people. The Sangh criticises such mischievous acts.”
The statement is signed by Ashok Agarwal, Prant Karyawah, Central India
The Quint reached out to Lokendra Singh, Karyakari Nideshak (Executive Director) of Vishwa Samvad Kendra (VSK), who confirmed VSK’s note, adding that he is not able identify Pramod Namdev, the undersigned in the letter, as an RSS official.
(This article has been published as part of the Ekta News Coalition)
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