Arnab claims Istanbul Congress Center is Congress office; Malviya shares clip, Zubair debunks it
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New Delhi: Arnab Goswami, the editor-in-chief of Republic TV, was caught spreading misinformation on national television when he falsely claimed that the Congress party has a registered office in Turkey.
Goswami made the statement during a broadcast, stating, “Did you know, viewers, the Congress party has a registered office in Turkey?” He further questioned, “What kind of business does the Congress have in Turkey?”
Top fact-checker Mohammed Zubair quickly debunked the false claim. He took to social media to post a carousel, including a short clip of Goswami’s statement, which was also shared by Amit Malviya, in charge of BJP's National Information and Technology Department. Malviya wrote, “Can Rahul Gandhi explain what necessitated this move? This is bizarre and inexplicable on multiple levels. India deserves to know,” and further commented, “Remember: the enemy’s friend is an enemy too.”
Did you know that the Congress Party has a registered office in Turkey? Can Rahul Gandhi explain what necessitated this move? This is bizarre and inexplicable on multiple levels. India deserves to know.
— Amit Malviya (@amitmalviya) May 17, 2025
Remember: the enemy’s friend is an enemy too. pic.twitter.com/lOnPrS5SpY
Zubair, co-founder of the fact-checking website Alt News, then revealed that the location Goswami referred to was the Istanbul Congress Center, a well-known convention center that hosts social, cultural, and professional events, not a Congress party office.
Arnab shows 'Istanbul Congress Center' and claims it to be the Congress office. 🤡 pic.twitter.com/YTlbuvcZTK
— Mohammed Zubair (@zoo_bear) May 19, 2025
He also included a post by Vijay Jolly, featuring the senior BJP leader with Turkish President Recep Tayyip ErdoÄŸan, who was seen wearing a BJP scarf, further highlighting the discrepancy.
Netizens quickly called out Goswami for spreading false information. One comment read, “People who enjoy Arnab’s news deserve exactly this!” while another humorously remarked, “Nation does not want to know.”
Let the Truth be known. If you read VB and like VB, please be a VB Supporter and Help us deliver the Truth to one and all.
Beauty of democracy: Tharoor congratulates BJP on civic body poll win in his constituency
New Delhi (PTI): Congress leader Shashi Tharoor on Saturday, while lauding the win of the UDF in Kerala local bodies elections, also congratulated the BJP for its historic performance in his Thiruvananthapuram constituency, calling it the "beauty of democracy".
In a post on X, he said the people's verdict must be respected, whether for the UDF overall or for the BJP in his constituency.
"What a day of amazing results in the Kerala local self-government elections! The mandate is clear, and the democratic spirit of the state shines through.
"A huge congratulations to @UDFKerala for a truly impressive win across various local bodies! This is a massive endorsement and a powerful signal ahead of the state legislative elections. Hard work, a strong message and anti-incumbency have all clearly paid off to achieve a much better result than in 2020," Tharoor said.
He said he also acknowledges the historic performance of the BJP in Thiruvananthapuram, and "offer humble congratulations on their significant victory in the city corporation -” a strong showing that marks a notable shift in the capital's political landscape."
Tharoor said he campaigned for a change from 45 years of the LDF "misrule", but the voters have ultimately rewarded another party that also sought a clear change in governance.
"That is the beauty of democracy. The people's verdict must be respected, whether for the UDF overall or for the BJP in my constituency.
"We will continue to work for the betterment of Kerala, advocating for the people's needs and upholding the principles of good governance. Onwards and upwards!" Tharoor, who is the MP from Thiruvananthapuram, said.
The lotus bloomed in the state capital as the BJP-led NDA achieved a resounding win in the polls for the Thiruvananthapuram Corporation, snatching it from the CPI(M)-led LDF and marking an end to 45 years of continuous Left rule in the local body.
The win in the Thiruvananthapuram Corporation will act as a boost for the BJP in the 2026 Assembly polls, especially in the state capital.
Of the 101 wards in the Thiruvananthapuram Corporation, the BJP won 50, LDF 29, UDF 19 and two wards were won by independent candidates.
The BJP is one seat short of a decisive majority in the corporation.
Besides this, the NDA retained the Palakkad municipality after a close battle with the Congress-led UDF and wrested the Thrippunithura Municipality from the grand old party.
In Thrissur, from where Suresh Gopi won in the Lok Sabha polls last year, the BJP won 18 out of the 46 wards in Kodungallur Municipality, eight in Thrissur Corporation, two each in Guruvayoor and Vadakkancherry municipalities, seven in Kunnamkulam Municipality, six in Irinjalakuda Municipality and one in Chalakudy Municipality.
