Photo: Bharatiya Janata Party National Vice President Baijayant Panda
Intensifying its attack on the Biju Janata Dal, the Bharatiya Janata Party's Odisha unit on Monday arrested Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik and revealed that regional party leaders had been using artificial intelligence to generate images of Mr. Patnaik during the polls. He claimed that he was being regulated like a puppet for creating deepfake videos.
The saffron party's statement at a time when the first phase of simultaneous elections is underway has triggered a huge political controversy.
“The pre-recorded video featuring Naveen Babu is not his,” BJP national vice president Vaijayanth Panda told a press conference here on Monday. It is becoming clear that these are deepfake videos. ”
He claimed that the deepfake videos were created by BJD leaders by applying artificial intelligence (AI) technology.
That's why; Prime Minister Modi was justified in challenging Patnaik to name districts in public without a prepared script, he said.
“The video being screened and the live video of Patnaik on public platforms are completely different.His closest aides (indirectly referring to his closest aide, bureaucrat-turned-politician VK Pandian) It was clear that these videos were computer-generated deepfake AI videos as he held a microphone in front of him and controlled his speaking.'' The party's Lok Sabha candidate Panda further said.
Panda said he (Patnaik) should be asked if he knows what is being said in the deepfake video.
“In Odisha, the government is outsourced. It is a matter of deep concern. Across Odisha, this issue is widely discussed and debated. The people are also deeply concerned. Prime Minister Modi I have raised it. The same should be raised by everyone,” said Panda, who was a trusted aide of Patnaik before being expelled from the BJD.
“The man (Patnaik) who was voted into power in Odisha is caged and manipulated like a puppet. “When he rides in a helicopter, when he faces a camera, when he stands on stage or at a public podium, he is the only one seen,” he quipped. .
Questions have arisen as to why Odia leaders are not in close proximity to the CM, Panda pointed out. “Before 2018, Naveen Patnaik was not the same as he is now. The change in Patnaik is being felt after 2018. Naveen Babu was 'captured' and it hurt Odia pride. During this period, important episodes of Lord Jagannath’s Ratna Bhandar (Treasury) were reported missing,” he said.
He concluded that the way Patnaik was being controlled like a puppet was creating an Odia Ashmita (pride) issue and appealed to the people of the state to think deeply about this emotional issue.
