India
A video of Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu claiming Alexander to be the President of India was going viral on social media. But TDP has released the real video of the speech, where Naidu is supporting Abdul Kalam for President's post.
The Telugu Desam Party (TDP) has released a video of Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu's speech from Nara Hamara - TDP Hamara, Muslim minority convention held at Guntur on April 28, and busted the claim of a tampered video of Naidu calling Alexander as the President of India.
A video of Chandrababu Naidu claiming that TDP was the only party that supported the candidature of Alexander as the President of India is making the rounds on social media. The video made it look like Naidu was referring to Alexander the Great as the President of India.
In this tampered video, Chandrababu Naidu is heard saying, "Telugu Desam Party has created history in many ways. Not one or two... but in a country, if Alexander is made the President of India, (the clip repeats), if Alexander is made the president of India, I have only one thing to say, he is the only person who has the capability to hold the post. I even convinced the Prime Minister on this. Thus TDP is the only party to support him for the post of President of India.
Watch the video here:
It can be seen that the video had many cuts in between and was not clear. As the video went viral, TDP decided to clear the air and released the real video of the speech.
According to this video, Chandrababu Naidu (same venue, same dress and stage) is heard saying, "In an instance like if Alexander (referring to PC Alexander) was made the President of India, I have only one thing to say. In India, if there is anyone who has all the capability (for the post), it is Abdul Kalam. I even convinced the Prime Minister and Abdul Kalam about this. Thus TDP is the only party to support him for the post of President of India.
Watch both the videos here:
Dr Abdul Kalam served as the President of India from July 25, 2002 to July 25, 2007. Interestingly, Sonia Gandhi then wanted veteran Congress leader Kamal Nath for the position of President of India, while BJP leader Atal Bihari Vajpayee was the Prime Minister. But Vajpayee refused to accept her demand and instead referred Congress leader PC Alexander for the post. But Sonia did not share a good rapport with the Congress leader PC Alexander from Kerala and refused to accept his candidature.
It was at this time, Andhra Pradesh leader Chandrababu Naidu proposed Dr APJ Abdul Kalam's name for the post of President and his name was agreed upon by PM Vajpayee as well as Congress leader Sonia Gandhi.
Thus, in this video, when Naidu uttered the name Alexander, it was Congress leader PC Alexander. And it can be noticed that the tampered video has also cut the part where Naidu is referring to Dr Abdul Kalam.
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