Delhi polls: AI-generate meme war unfolds as parties take online campaign to new heights

Delhi: The Assembly election in the national capital has turned into a digital battlefield, with the BJP, AAP, and Congress engaging voters through witty memes, satirical posters, and AI-generated videos to take jabs at each other.

The BJP has dubbed AAP leader Arvind Kejriwal as “Ghoshna Mantri”, while the AAP retaliated by labelling the BJP as “Gali Baaja Party” (party of abuses). AAP’s campaign has zeroed in on BJP’s Kalkaji candidate Ramesh Singh Bidhuri, spotlighting his controversial “hirni” (doe) comment directed at Chief Minister Atishi, which AAP has condemned as abusive and anti-women.

AAP also released a satirical video on social media featuring Bidhuri and Amit Shah in a mock “Gaali Championship”, portraying Bidhuri as the undisputed winner over other BJP leaders and candidates.

Meanwhile, the BJP, aiming to unseat AAP, shared posters calling AAP “AAPda” (disaster) with slogans like “Aao IDA ko ukhad phenkengay”, targeting AAP’s promises on infrastructure development.

The Congress, seeking to regain relevance after poor performances in the 2015 and 2020 Assembly polls, has also joined the meme war. It shared sharp satires, including a post featuring a razor blade labelled “GST”, accusing the BJP-led central government of being a “pocket maar sarkar” (pickpocket government). Congress also released an AI-generated video titled “Fekne Mein Vishwa Vijeta”, depicting a mock competition for exaggerated claims, with the winner declaring, “Mitron, fekne se mera poora nata hai”, in a swipe at the BJP’s campaign promises.

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AAP has countered both BJP and Congress, alleging that the Congress’ Delhi unit is being manipulated by BJP and Amit Shah in the electoral game. The BJP also criticised AAP’s much-publicized Mohalla clinics through a parody of a Bollywood song, claiming the clinics are locked while liquor shops thrive and the Yamuna River has become a drain. AAP responded with another parody, targeting the BJP’s 15-year tenure in the MCD, claiming Delhiites reject lies and keep BJP out of power.

The increasing use of AI-generated content in campaigns prompted the Election Commission of India to issue guidelines on January 12, instructing political parties to label such material as “AI-generated, digitally enhanced, and synthetic content.”

Delhi will vote on February 5, with results announced on February 8.

(With inputs from PTI)