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New Delhi: Political tensions escalated sharply during the ongoing Winter Session of Parliament after a social media post by senior Congress spokesperson Ragini Nayak triggered a major controversy late on Tuesday night. Nayak shared an AI-generated video depicting Prime Minister Narendra Modi carrying a kettle and tea glasses, seemingly at an international event — a visual that was swiftly criticised by the BJP as an attempt to ridicule the Prime Minister’s humble origins.

The video was captioned in Hindi, “अब ई कौन किया बे” (Now, who did this?), and within hours drew fierce reactions from the ruling party, which accused the Congress of using manipulated media to demean the Prime Minister.

BJP Accuses Congress of Mocking PM’s Background

BJP national spokesperson Shehzad Poonawalla led the party’s counter-attack, accusing the Congress of being unable to accept a Prime Minister from an OBC community and a modest 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.”

Poonawalla’s remarks referred to a recent incident during the Congress’ ‘Voter Adhikar Yatra’ in Bihar, where an unidentified person allegedly breached security and shouted offensive remarks about the Prime Minister and his mother from the stage. “People will never forgive them,” he added.

Row Deepens Amid Turbulent Parliament Proceedings

The controversy erupted at a time when rift between the BJP and the Opposition is already at a peak over multiple issues, including the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls, leading to repeated disruptions in Parliament.

Earlier on Tuesday, BJP MP and spokesperson Sambit Patra had accused the Congress of repeatedly lowering the dignity of Parliament. His criticism followed comments made by Congress leader Renuka Chowdhury, who had reportedly referred to those “sitting in Parliament as the ones who bite” while reacting to questions about bringing her pet dog to the Parliament premises.

Responding sharply, 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 television.”

‘Nalayak’ Remark Adds Fuel to Fire

Tensions further intensified after Renuka Chowdhury, on December 2, launched a stinging personal attack on Union Minister Kiren Rijiju, calling him “nalayak” (inept) after he criticised the Opposition’s protests over the SIR issue. Chowdhury defended the protests by asserting that raising public concerns in Parliament is the constitutional duty of MPs, and cannot be dismissed as obstructionism.

Political Tempers Boil Over

With the AI-generated video controversy now added to the growing list of flashpoints, the Winter Session continues under a cloud of intense political acrimony, as the BJP accuses the Congress of personal attacks and institutional disrespect, while the Opposition maintains that the government is suppressing legitimate political dissent.