By: Rohith Gutta
March 15 2024
Edited image of News18 opinion poll shared to show YSRCP leading in Andhra Pradesh
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Screenshot of a post asserting that YSRCP is leading in Andhra Pradesh, as indicated by News 18 opinion polls. (Source: X/Modified by Logically Facts)
Fact-Check
The Verdict Fake
The screenshot of the news broadcast has been edited. The opinion poll figures for NDA & YSRCP have been swapped to falsely present YSRCP as leading.
What is the claim?
In the lead-up to India's Lok Sabha elections, a screenshot from a News18 opinion poll broadcast was widely shared online, purportedly showing the YSR Congress Party (YSRCP) ahead in Andhra Pradesh. The screenshot suggests the YSRCP is projected to secure 50 percent of the votes, outpacing the National Democratic Alliance (NDA)—a coalition including the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and its allies—with 41 percent. Archived versions of these posts are accessible here and here.
Screenshot of the viral social media post (Source: X/Modified by Logically Facts)
However, this screenshot has been edited; the vote percentages for the NDA and YSRCP have been swapped.
What did we find out?
News18 released the results of their "Mega Opinion Polls" for the Lok Sabha constituencies on March 14, 2024. This poll projected 411 out of 543 seats for the NDA, led by the BJP, while the Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance (I.N.D.I.A), led by the Congress, was predicted to secure 105 seats. Examining the News18 broadcast and their official X (formerly Twitter) account post revealed discrepancies.
The original broadcast shows the NDA predicted to receive 50 percent of the votes (18 seats) and the YSRCP 41 percent (7 seats) in Andhra Pradesh. Contrary to the viral screenshot, where the YSRCP appears second in the listing, the authentic video places it first. Not only have the parties' positions been switched, but their vote percentages and projected seat counts have been altered in both the main display and the news ticker.
Comparison between the viral screenshot and the original broadcast (Source: X/News 18/Modified by Logically Facts)
In an article published on their website on March 14, 2024, News18 reported that according to their Mega Opinion Poll, NDA is projected to win 50 percent votes and 18 seats, while YSRCP is predicted to ton win 41 percent votes and 7 seats in Andhra Pradesh.
The verdict
An edited screenshot of an opinion poll conducted by News18 has been shared to claim that YSRCP is leading in the upcoming Lok Sabha elections. However, the image has been digitally altered. Therefore, we have marked this claim as fake.