New Delhi: A controversy has erupted after a doctored video featuring actor Manoj Bajpayee was circulated online, falsely implying his endorsement of the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) in the upcoming Bihar elections. The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has reacted sharply to the incident, branding the RJD as "Rashtriya Jhoota Dal".
The manipulated video, reportedly an edited version of an old advertisement Bajpayee filmed for a streaming platform, was allegedly shared by RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav on social media platform X (formerly Twitter) before being deleted. Bajpayee, a native of Bihar, swiftly responded to the controversy, clarifying that he has no affiliation with any political party. "I would like to publicly state that I have no association or allegiance with any political party," Bajpayee stated. "The video being circulated is a fake, patched-up edit of an ad I did for @PrimeVideoIN". He appealed to the public to refrain from sharing the "distorted content".
The BJP has seized upon the incident to attack the RJD, accusing the party of resorting to unethical tactics to mislead voters. The party spokesperson condemned the RJD's actions, stating that such behavior is unacceptable in a democratic process. They further added that this incident exposes the RJD's desperation and lack of faith in their own agenda.
This is not the first time the RJD has faced accusations of using misinformation for political gain. The BJP has consistently targeted the RJD, reviving narratives of "jungle raj" and corruption, especially concerning RJD leaders Lalu Prasad Yadav, his wife Rabri Devi, and son Tejashwi Yadav, who are facing legal troubles in corruption cases. BJP leader Ravi Shankar Prasad has criticized Lalu Prasad Yadav's model as "give land, get a job…give land, get a Railway hotel".
The controversy comes at a crucial time as political parties gear up for the Bihar elections. The BJP is aiming to retain its stronghold in the state, while the RJD is striving to regain power. The election is expected to be a fierce contest, with both sides leaving no stone unturned in their efforts to woo voters. The BJP has announced its list of star campaigners, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah.
Meanwhile, the Mahagathbandhan (Grand Alliance), which includes the RJD, is reportedly facing challenges regarding seat-sharing arrangements, with the Congress party demanding a larger share of seats than the RJD is willing to concede. Political strategist Prashant Kishor has predicted a decline in the seat share for both the JDU and BJP in the upcoming elections.
The Manoj Bajpayee video controversy highlights the increasing use of misinformation and manipulated content in political campaigns. It also raises concerns about the ethical standards of political parties and the need for greater vigilance in combating fake news. As the Bihar elections draw closer, it remains to be seen how this controversy will impact the political landscape and the choices of voters.
