Just as news of the alleged flying kiss gesture in Parliament by Wayanad MP Rahul Gandhi came in, the alleged fact checker was quick to buttress the whole incident.
Little did he know that the video he shared had the actual gesture captured on camera, thus proving his own tweet incorrect.
He tweeted, “This is the video of Rahul Gandhi just before Smriti Irani spoke. Is there any other video of him allegedly blowing “Flying Kiss” to Smriti Irani as claimed by Shobha Karandlaje? Also in her, speech Smriti Irani said, Rahul Gandhi blew a ‘flying kiss’ to a Parliament which has female members. Not ‘Flying Kiss to Smriti Irani’ as tweeted by Payal Mehta. Interesting, Even Smriti Irani spoke about ‘Flying kiss’ at 13:22 after it was tweeted by Payal Mehta at 13:10.”
This is the video of Rahul Gandhi just before @smritiirani spoke. Is there any other video of him allegedly blowing “Flying Kiss” to Smriti Irani as claimed by @ShobhaBJP?
Also in her, speech Smriti Irani said, Rahul Gandhi blew a ‘flying kiss’ to a Parliament which has female… pic.twitter.com/cZJl5X3QaQ— Mohammed Zubair (@zoo_bear) August 9, 2023
Netizens were quick to point out the alleged flying kiss in his own video.
From the video you posted… pic.twitter.com/RVfqb40O9s
— INFERNO (@SmokingLiberals) August 9, 2023
Sharm karle thoda pic.twitter.com/m87Ftvufbt
— Mohit Babu 🇮🇳 (@Mohit_ksr) August 9, 2023
Zubair also alleges that the “kiss” was not directed at Smt. Irani.
Right Wing trolls are trying to prove Rahul Gandhi was giving 'Flying kiss' to @smritiirani by cropping her pic from full frame. pic.twitter.com/bxdchyxHpl
— Mohammed Zubair (@zoo_bear) August 9, 2023
ok you mean flying kiss happened but it was aimed towards speaker sir om birla.
— The Hawk Eye (@thehawkeyex) August 9, 2023
In this report, you can read the various Congress leaders and other alliance members who are acknowledging that the alleged flying kiss was blown by Rahul Gandhi as he finished his speech.
He tries to compare two statements given by Union Minister Shobha Karandale. In an interview with ANI she said, “By giving Flying kiss to all women members, Rahul Gandhi went away.” However, he says that in the complaint letter, the complainants have mentioned it as “Inappropriate gesture towards Smriti Irani”.
Quote to @ANI: “By giving Flying kiss to all women members, Rahul Gandhi went away.”
Letter to Speaker says : “Inappropriate gesture towards Smriti Irani”. @ShobhaBJP ?? pic.twitter.com/UqgwrBgEOO— Mohammed Zubair (@zoo_bear) August 9, 2023
Zubair doesn’t stop with the flying kiss. He continues to dig into the former allegations of Smriti Irani. Here is one. He writes, “Remember she had problem when a Minister from opposition party addressed her with “Dear”. But had no issues when party person wrote a letter with “Dear Smriti Irani ji”.”
Remember she had problem when a Minister from opposition party addressed her with "Dear". But had no issues when party person wrote a letter with "Dear Smriti Irani ji". pic.twitter.com/Gw1hFU84gl
— Mohammed Zubair (@zoo_bear) August 9, 2023
Unfortunately for Zubair, he ended up comparing a formal letter and an informal medium such as Twitter and probably does not understand salutations and nuances when addressing a lady in public.
It is indeed difficult to come to a conclusion regarding Zubair’s intentions in attempting to fact-check whether the flying kiss was indeed directed, particularly towards Smt. Irani, the Speaker, or the members present in the treasury benches.
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