Fake news alert: Anna Hazare is not going on hunger strike for Devendra Fadnavis
A tweet allegedly posted by the Press Trust of India (PTI) is viral. It claimed that social activist Anna Hazare said he would go on a hunger strike if BJP leader Devendra Fadnavis was not made the Chief Minister of Maharashtra.
By Newsmeter Network Published on 27 Jun 2022 6:00 AM GMT
HYDERABAD: A tweet allegedly posted by the Press Trust of India (PTI) is viral. It claimed that social activist Anna Hazare said he would go on a hunger strike if BJP leader Devendra Fadnavis was not made the Chief Minister of Maharashtra.
The viral tweet quotes Anna Hazare saying, "If Devendra Fadnavis is not made CM this time then I will start a hunger strike at SakiNaka railway station." (view here)
Many Twitter users shared the tweet believing PTI posted it.
FACT CHECK:
NewsMeter searched through the official Twitter of PTI but did not find any such tweet shared by it. Neither did any media organization report on Hazara saying he would go on a hunger strike if Devendra Fadnavis was not made the CM of Maharashtra.
The fact check team noticed that the username in the viral tweet is mentioned as "@ZackRhea." Whereas the official verified Twitter handle of PTI is "@PTI_News."
The team checked the "@ZackRhea" account and found the profile impersonating PTI clearly states in its bio that it is a parody account. However, now, the user has changed the name and profile picture of the account.
Moreover, it should be noted that Saki Naka located in Andheri East, Mumbai does not have a railway station and only has a Metro station.
The tweet was made by a parody account.
