In an attempt to bag maximum votes in the ongoing Indian general elections, Narendra Modi’s Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has launched “Indian Air Force (IAF) pilot Abhinandan Varthaman” for electioneering.

Hailed a hero in India, Wing Commander Abhinandan was captured when his fighter jet was shot down by the Pakistan Air Force (PAF) in February. He, however, was later released as a peace gesture by Prime Minister Imran Khan.

With the Hindu nationalist BJP campaigning for Lok Sabha polls in national defence’s name, a fake picture of Abhinandan urging Indians to vote for the ruling party is being shared on social media.

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The picture has been breaking the internet with a claim that the IAF pilot is supporting the BJP and has voted for Modi.

In the photo, the pilot’s doppelganger — having his trademark handlebar moustache and a pair of Ray-Ban sunglasses — can be seen wearing a muffler with the BJP’s electoral symbol.

The Hindi caption of the viral post urges people to vote for the BJP.

Nonetheless, upon examining the picture closely, its falsehood is narrated. Indians too are pointing out the deception of the BJP, while IAF has also reportedly declared the poster as fake.