For the last few days. the YSR Congress party, the main opposition in Andhra Pradesh, is going all out to attack the ruling Telugu Desam Party-led coalition on various issues concerning people.
In the process, the YSRCP appears to be using every opportunity, including circulation of fake videos using the latest artificial intelligence technology, to project the coalition government in general and chief minister N Chandrababu Naidu in particular.
Recently, a doctored video surfaced on social media affiliated to the YSRCP in which Naidu was seen threatening farmers for agitating against urea shortage and asking them to reduce consumption of urea and other fertilisers, besides pesticides.
State IT minister Nara Lokesh on Wednesday launched a scathing attack on the YSRCP, alleging that the party continues to indulge in malicious propaganda even after losing the elections.
“YSRCP is like a venomous snake that keeps spitting poison even after its fangs have been removed,” Lokesh remarked.
He accused YSRCP leaders of circulating fake videos, fake protests, and false narratives on issues such as urea supply and government schemes.
“The poisonous snakes of YSRCP twisted the CM’s words spoken openly before the media,” he fumed, urging the public to remain alert to such fake content.
Meanwhile, the state government has taken serious note of the issue. The Crime Investigation Department (CID) has registered a case on fake campaigns circulating on social media.
Referring to one such AI-generated fake video that portrayed the chief minister as warning farmers about pesticide and urea usage, the CID warned that strict action will be taken against those spreading false propaganda.
Inspector General of Cyber Crimes appealed to citizens not to believe or forward any information without verifying facts. He emphasized that every citizen must play a role in curbing fake campaigns.
