Fact-checking with NEWSMETER:

Claim: Video shows UP CM Yogi Adityanath campaigning for a BJP candidate on a bulldozer in Maharashtra.

Fact: The statement is false. The man in the saffron outfit on the bulldozer is a BJP worker, not Yogi Adityanath.

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, known for his tough stance on law enforcement and crackdown on illegal properties and encroachment, has earned the nickname “Bulldozer Baba.’

In this context, a video circulating on social media shows two men sitting inside the loader of a moving JCB with a crowd cheering around them. One man wears a BJP scarf and the other is dressed in saffron clothes, similar to what Yogi is often seen wearing. The video is claimed to show Yogi campaigning for a BJP candidate.

An X user shared the video and wrote: “The bulldozer has become almost synonymous with his identity and respect for people’s trust is Yogi Ji’s hallmark.” (Archive)

Right-wing account X and frequent spreader of misinformation, Baba Banarasshared the video with the caption, “The Swag of Yogi Ji… Seeing this scene, some people might feel a snake lying on their chest.”

Fact checking

In the verification of the facts, it was found that the request is false. The man in saffron attire is not Yogi Adityanath but a BJP worker. The person wearing the BJP scarf is Harish Pimple, who is an MP candidate from the Murtizapur Assembly constituency in Maharashtra.

After doing a reverse image search on the keyframes of the video, we found that it was published by ABP Majha on November 6. The channel reported that a BJP candidate from Akola in Maharashtra has brought a Yogi Adityanath lookalike for his campaign.

For further confirmation, NewsMeter spoke to Pimple, who clarified that the bulldozer rally took place after Yogi Adityanath’s rally in Murtizapur, Akola district, but he was not the one sitting on the bulldozer loader. He explained, “I was sitting on the shovel (loader) along with a BJP worker, who enthusiastically joined the rally dressed in saffron.” Pimple also mentioned that he does not know the BJP worker’s name.

According to reports from The Times of India and Hindustan Times indicates that Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath addressed public meetings on November 6 in support of Mahayuti (NDA alliance) candidates from Washim, Amravati and Akola. However, none of the reports mention Yogi leading a bulldozer rally.

Pimple also posted pictures on X from Yogi’s rally in Murtizapur, Akola on November 6, calling him a “Hindu warrior”.

Therefore, we conclude that the statement is false.

Claim review: The video shows UP CM Yogi Adityanath campaigning for a BJP candidate on a bulldozer in Maharashtra.

Claimed by: X users

Claim reviewed by: NewsMeter

Claim source: X

Fact check for claim: False

Fact: The statement is false. The man in the saffron outfit on the bulldozer is a BJP worker, not Yogi Adityanath.

(Disclaimer: This story was originally published by Newsmeter and republished by India TV as part of Shakti Collective.)

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