West Bengal Elections 2016: TMC left red-faced after sharing fake photo claiming to show BJP-Left bonhomie

At an urgent presser called by the Trinamool Congress' Derek O’Brien on Saturday, the Rajya Sabha MP showed a picture to media persons where BJP leader Rajnath Singh was seen offering ‘laddu’ to CPI (M) leader Prakash Karat. This photo was among six others shared to allege Left-BJP-Congress bonhomie.

“I would not like to comment much on this, but would want everyone to see these pictures and the alliance between CPM, BJP and the Congress, which has been hidden from the people,” said O’Brien, adding, “andar dosti, bahar kushti.”

The photoshopped image.

Two videos & 6 pics were shown at our press conference. We removed one pic immediately when our research team learnt it was photoshopped

— AITC (@AITCofficial) April 23, 2016

However, hours after the Trinamool Congress released the still photos on the social media, BJP came up with the original picture, where Rajnath Singh is seen offering a laddu to Narendra Modi.

Actual image

TMC's Derek O' Brien presenting the image at the press conference 

O’Brien had held the presser after Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi asked the people of West Bengal to support the Congress-Left alliance in the assembly polls at an election campaign rally in Howrah.

“We have shown two videos. In one video, it is seen Rahul Gandhi is saying in Kerala that 'Left is our opposition and our ideologies do not match'. But, today in Howrah, he has asked people to vote for the alliance,” O’Brien said.

Meanwhile, the Trinamool Congress issued a statement, “Two videos and 6 pictures were shown at our press conference. We removed one picture immediately when our research team learnt it was photoshopped.”
 

Will surely take legal action. @quizderek should rename his handle as @morphderek. He is following lying & deceitful nature of his leader.

— Md Salim (@salimdotcomrade) April 23, 2016

Seems TMC can do no right. Even quizmaster(@quizderek) asking fraudulent questions. People will give befitting answer. #MorphDerek

— Md Salim (@salimdotcomrade) April 23, 2016

Watch the whole press conference below: