Bhubaneswar, 9 November (H.S.): Odisha BJP spokesperson Satyabrata Panda has accused the Biju Janata Dal (BJD) of misusing Artificial Intelligence (AI) technology to mislead voters ahead of the Nuapada by-election. Panda alleged that the ruling party, which had earlier blamed misinformation on social media for its defeat in the 2024 general elections, is now engaging in the very same tactics.
He claimed that the BJD has circulated manipulated images of BJP State President Manmohan Samal and Dharmasala MLA Himanshu Sahu on social media platforms using AI tools, in an attempt to create confusion among the electorate. Calling it a “serious offence,” Panda said that a BJP delegation has lodged a formal complaint with the State Election Commission demanding strict action against those responsible.
“The BJD, which once lectured others on political decency, has now stooped to unethical means to influence voters. It is shocking that party supremo and former Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik has chosen to remain silent on such disgraceful acts,” Panda remarked. He further accused the BJD of resorting to “desperate and unlawful methods” out of fear of losing the election.
The BJP delegation that submitted the complaint included State Vice President Dr. Jatin Mohanty, State Spokesperson Dilip Mallik, Media Coordinator Sujit Kumar Das, Legal Cell Convenor Jayant Jena, Social Media Co-Convenor Manasi Manjari Padhi, and OBC Morcha Convenor Sangram Keshari Nayak, among others.
Hindusthan Samachar / Monalisa Panda
