The political confrontation surrounding the recent AI Summit has escalated sharply, with the Bharatiya Janata Party accusing the Indian National Congress of orchestrating a paid online campaign to discredit the event.
The AI Summit, a large-scale technology conference focused on artificial intelligence innovation, policy collaboration, and India’s global tech positioning, brought together industry leaders, policymakers, and international delegates. The event was projected as a platform to showcase India’s advancements in AI research and digital infrastructure.
While the BJP has made serious allegations, it is important to note that these claims remain unverified at this stage.
BJP Alleges ‘Coordinated Smear Campaign’
BJP national spokesperson Shehzad Poonawala alleged on social media that individuals linked to the Congress approached influencers with monetary offers ranging between ₹10,000 and ₹40,000 to produce negative content about the summit.
According to him, the alleged campaign aimed to portray the AI Summit as poorly managed and diplomatically unsuccessful. He suggested that the move was part of a broader political strategy to undermine India’s image internationally.
However, no independent authority has yet confirmed the existence of such financial transactions.
Influencers Allege Payment Offers
Several social media influencers have posted videos claiming they received outreach messages proposing paid collaborations to criticise the summit. Some stated they were allegedly provided suggested scripts and talking points.
A few influencers claimed to possess screenshots and audio recordings as evidence. Despite these assertions, no official probe by the Delhi Police or any central investigative agency has so far confirmed that payments were made or that a coordinated campaign existed.
Shirtless Protest Triggered Initial Flashpoint
The controversy follows a dramatic protest staged by Youth Congress workers inside the summit venue. Protesters reportedly entered an exhibition hall without shirts, displaying anti-government slogans and raising objections to policy issues, including aspects of the India–US trade discussions.
Security personnel escorted them out, and the Delhi Police later arrested eight individuals in connection with the disruption, including Youth Congress president Srinivas BV.
Clarification: Some earlier social media posts referenced other Youth Congress figures in connection with protests. However, official police communication confirmed arrests in this specific case included Srinivas BV and others linked to the summit incident.
Congress Response
At the time of publication, the Congress had not issued a detailed official statement addressing the allegations regarding influencer payments. The party did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
Legal Questions Arise
Legal experts note that offering payment for political commentary is not automatically unlawful. However, if such payments are undisclosed, misleading, or violate provisions under the Information Technology Act or election-related transparency rules, regulatory scrutiny could follow. As of now, no formal legal proceedings have been initiated in this regard.
Political War of Words Intensifies
Following the protest and subsequent allegations, BJP leaders accused the Congress of attempting to derail a flagship technology event meant to strengthen India’s innovation ecosystem. Congress leaders, meanwhile, have criticised the government over the handling of dissent and protest rights.
With both sides trading accusations, the issue has evolved beyond the summit itself into a broader debate over digital influence, political messaging, and transparency in public discourse.
