The BJP has frequently alleged that Pandian is exercising undue influence over Patnaik.
New Delhi:
Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik today dismissed claims that his election campaign videos were manipulated using artificial intelligence (AI). Patnaik's response was characteristically calm and witty, urging the Bharatiya Janata Party to “use its intelligence” instead of making baseless allegations.
In a video released by Biju Janata Dal (BJD) leader and Patnaik's former private secretary VK Pandian, Patnaik directly addressed the AI allegations and asked the chief minister to respond. “That's a great thing. They should use their intelligence,” Patnaik replied.
Pandian joined the Chief Minister's Office (CMO) in 2011 and has been a close aide to Patnaik, but has often been the target of criticism from the Bharatiya Janata Party. His role expanded significantly in 2019 when he was appointed “5T Director'', a role aimed at driving transformation efforts across government departments. The BJP has frequently claimed that Mr. Pandian wields undue influence over Mr. Patnaik, a claim it has reiterated amid the current AI video controversy.
The BJP's charges come at a crucial time, coinciding with the fourth phase elections in Odisha. The party has doubts about Patnaik's fitness to govern and has intensified its campaign against the BJD. Sameer Mohanty, the BJP's Odisha unit chief, yesterday questioned the authenticity of Patnaik's video message and suggested that AI technology could be used to create deepfake videos. Mohanty asserted that if the Prime Minister was serious about making such statements, he would also do so in public.
These concerns have also been voiced by senior BJP leaders who have been engaged in intense election campaigning in Odisha over the past few weeks. At a recent press conference, BJP state president Manmohan Samar, Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, BJP national vice-president Baijayant Panda and MP Aparajita Sarangi all questioned Patnaik's eligibility and leadership.
Mr Panda, in particular, has been vocal on social media, accusing Mr Patnaik of being manipulated by Pandian.
In a post on X, Panda expressed disappointment over Pandian's “puppet-like” manipulation of Patnaik. He called for greater transparency and urged the public and media to demand a live or publicly recorded message from the Prime Minister and check its authenticity.
“It is very sad to see the Chief Minister of Odisha being manipulated like a puppet by a former bureaucrat now in charge of 'politics,'” Panda wrote. “Just compare the AI generated 'video message' with the actual video of the Chief Minister in public. There is a world of difference. Insist on seeing the Chief Minister's live or recorded statement in front of you. The people of Odisha have a right to know the truth.”
It is very sad to see the Odisha CM being manipulated like a puppet by his handlers who are former bureaucrats and now 'politicians'.
Compare the AI-generated “video message” to his actual recorded videos, including one taken from a helicopter and one of his rare public appearances. There is heaven and hell… pic.twitter.com/723RUH53vl
— Baijayant Jay Panda (Modi Ka Parivar) (@PandaJay) May 12, 2024
BJD lawmaker and national spokesperson Susmit Patra responded to Panda's comments with harsh remarks suggesting that Panda's recent eye surgery may have affected his judgment. “Mr. Panda just came out of the hospital after undergoing eye surgery. I don't know what happened to your intelligence, whether it was artificial or real. I hope you get better soon.” Mr. Patra retorted.
Mr. Panda has just been released from the hospital after undergoing eye surgery. I don't know what's wrong with your intelligence, artificial or real. Get well soon. https://t.co/1KqlmuyFWl
— I am Dr. Sasmit Patra (@sasmitpatra) May 12, 2024
The BJD and BJP were allies for about 11 years from 1998 to 2009, and ran together in three Lok Sabha elections and two state assembly elections. Odisha has had simultaneous elections since 2004, and voting patterns were consistent up until 2014, with voters usually supporting the BJD in both state assembly and Lok Sabha elections. However, the 2019 elections deviated from this trend, and saw some degree of split voting.
The state has 21 Lok Sabha constituencies and 147 Assembly constituencies. So far, polling has been completed for nine Lok Sabha seats and 63 state assembly seats. The next two stages of voting are scheduled to take place on May 25th and June 1st.
