Political firestorm as Congress posts AI video of PM Modi as ‘chaiwala’

In a development that escalated tensions during the ongoing Winter Session of Parliament, a senior Congress leader’s social media post has triggered a major political controversy. Late last night, Congress spokesperson Ragini Nayak shared an AI-generated video depicting Prime Minister Narendra Modi walking with a kettle and glasses, as though serving tea at what appears to be an international event.

The post has drawn strong criticism from the BJP, with several leaders condemning it as “shameful” and accusing the Congress of attempting to belittle the Prime Minister through manipulated media.

BJP spokesperson Shehzad Poonawalla strongly criticised the Congress, accusing it of being unable to tolerate a Prime Minister from an OBC and humble background.

Taking to X on Wednesday, Poonawalla wrote, “After Renuka Chowdhury insults Parliament and now Ragini Nayak mocks PM Modi’s chaiwala background — the Naamdar Congress cannot stand a Kamdar PM from an OBC community who has risen from poverty. They have mocked his chaiwala background before as well. They abused him 150 times. They even abused his mother in Bihar.”

His reference was to an incident during the Congress’ ‘Voter Adhikar Yatra’ in Bihar, when an unknown individual managed to reach the party’s stage and shouted offensive remarks about the Prime Minister and his mother.

“People will never forgive them,” Poonawalla added.

The latest controversy began on Tuesday when Congress spokesperson Ragini Nayak shared an AI-generated video showing PM Modi carrying a kettle and tea glasses at what appears to be an international summit. She captioned the post, “Now, who did this?”

The video triggered a fresh round of heated exchanges between the BJP and Congress amid an already tense Winter Session of Parliament.

Earlier on Tuesday, BJP spokesperson and MP Sambit Patra accused the Congress of repeatedly lowering the dignity of Parliament. He criticised remarks made by Rahul Gandhi and MP Renuka Chowdhury, who had earlier described those “sitting in Parliament” as “the ones who bite” while responding to questions about bringing her pet dog to the premises.

Patra said, “Rahul ji, this is not expected of you. I hope you will go home and watch Renuka Chowdhury’s and your own comments on TV.”

The political friction further intensified after Renuka Chowdhury, on December 2, launched a sharp attack on Union Minister Kiren Rijiju, calling him “nalayak” following his criticism of Opposition protests over the Special Intensive Revision of voter lists. Chowdhury asserted that raising issues in Parliament is the duty of MPs and cannot be dismissed as obstruction.