Edited post shared to claim PM Modi stated ‘INDIA bloc received record votes'

What is the claim?

Right after the first phase of the 2024 Lok Sabha polls concluded, a social media post emerged claiming that Prime Minister Narendra Modi has said that a 'record number' of people came out to vote for the "INDIA Alliance."

The post includes a screenshot of a post from Modi's account on X (formerly Twitter) that reads, "First phase, great response! Thank you to all those who have voted today. Getting EXCELLENT feedback from today's voting. It's clear that people across India are voting for INDIA in record numbers."

An account named "India With Congress" shared the viral post. The caption reads, "Modiji got the exit poll numbers, which suggest that people have voted against the NDA in record numbers all across the country. This election will be tough for the NDA." An archived version of the post can be accessed here.

Screenshot of the post on social media. (Source: X/Modified by Logically Facts)

However, the claim is false. A fabricated screenshot has been shared with the false claim that PM Modi has said that a record number of people have voted for the INDIA bloc. In reality, he stated that people have voted for the NDA.

How did we find the source?

We first checked PM Modi’s account on X to verify if he made any such posts. We found that Modi shared a post at 9:33 p.m. on April 19, after the first phase of the polls concluded. He wrote, "First phase, great response! Thank you to all those who have voted today. Getting EXCELLENT feedback from today’s voting. It’s clear that people across India are voting for NDA in record numbers."  

Upon comparing the viral post with the one posted by Modi, we found that the word "NDA" was replaced with "INDIA" to create a fabricated screenshot. In reality, the Prime Minister stated that a record number of people voted for the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA), not the INDIA bloc.

Comparison between the fake screenshot and the original post. (Source: X/Modified by Logically Facts)

The first phase of the polls was held in 102 constituencies across 21 states and union territories on April 19. According to reports, the voter turnout was 62 percent until 9 p.m. The average turnout for these 102 constituencies stood at 70 percent in 2019, indicating a significant decrease in voter turnout. However, the Election Commission of India stated that the numbers will likely increase after the final figures are released.

The verdict

A fabricated screenshot falsely claims that Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi said a record number of people voted for the oppositional INDIA bloc in the first phase of the polls. In reality, he stated that people voted for the NDA, not INDIA. Therefore, we have marked this claim as false.