AI Video Spat: Akhilesh's 'Chillum' Jab at Yogi Draws BJP's Wrath

The political battleground in Uttar Pradesh has shifted to artificial intelligence, with the ruling BJP and the Samajwadi Party (SP) trading AI-generated video barbs. The latest salvo came from SP chief Akhilesh Yadav, whose video mocking Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has drawn sharp condemnation from the BJP.

The video, released by Yadav at a press conference, depicts men in saffron robes stealing from a temple donation box and shows Adityanath smoking a chillum. The accompanying song's lyrics, "UP badnaam hua, Baba tere maare," were a direct retort to a BJP-circulated music video that used a similar tune to target Yadav, calling him by his nickname, Teepu.

Yadav defended the video, stating it was a response to the BJP's use of AI to create songs against him. "If the BJP uses AI to make songs targeting me, we will also respond to those songs with songs," he said.

The UP BJP unit reacted strongly, accusing Yadav of insulting saints, Sanatan Dharma, and the faith of millions. A post on its social media channels claimed Yadav had "removed his mask" and revealed his "anti-Sanatan mindset."

Senior BJP leader and MP Jagdambika Pal questioned Yadav's dignity, asking if the Opposition would "degrade to such an extent" as to show the Chief Minister smoking a chillum. He suggested the public would respond in the 2027 elections.

UP BJP General Secretary Subrat Pathak defended Adityanath, stating, "Yogi ji is not just a chief minister. He is a saint." He alleged the SP would not treat a Muslim cleric similarly, even if he insulted his own wife.

The SP has since doubled down, posting another video with the same depiction of Adityanath and the caption, "Uttar Pradesh is being choked by smoke." The exchange highlights the growing use of AI in political messaging as the state gears up for the 2027 assembly elections.