BJP and Congress clash over INDIA bloc rally turnout and images
Union Minister Kiren Rijiju accused Congress of using an AI-generated photo to exaggerate crowds at the Ramlila Maidan protest.
Union Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju accused the Congress party of using a fake AI-generated image to falsely depict a large crowd at the INDIA bloc rally held at Ramlila Maidan on Sunday, according to The Assam Tribune. The protest was organised to demand the removal of Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar.
Rijiju questioned the authenticity of a photograph shared by a Congress MP from Telangana on social media. He claimed the image was part of a false narrative created by the Congress party. BJP MP Sambit Patra also held a press conference on Sunday, stating that 40 per cent of the venue was vacant and that 5,000 to 7,000 of the 28,000 arranged chairs remained empty.
Congress general secretary in-charge of communications Jairam Ramesh denied these claims, stating the BJP's propaganda had been punctured. He alleged the BJP spread rumours that the rally would cause market closures and financial losses for Delhi traders to discourage attendance. Ramesh said that instead, people shopped in Old Delhi and supported local vendors.
Uttar Pradesh Congress President Aradhana Misra-Mona described the event as a historic turning point with an unparalleled surge of people. The rally included leaders such as Rahul Gandhi, Mallikarjun Kharge, Mamata Banerjee, and Akhilesh Yadav.