'Even AI image not done properly': Kiren Rijiju's swipe at Congress over Ramlila Maidan rally crowd claim

Union Minister Kiren Rijiju criticised the Congress over an image of the crowd at Sunday's INDIA bloc rally at Ramlila Maidan, alleging that it was AI-generated. Sharing the image posted by Congress MP Vamsi Gaddam and other party leaders, Rijiju accused the Opposition party of using AI-generated visuals to exaggerate the turnout at the rally.

"Even the fake AI photo to show that Ramlila ground was full is not done properly by the fake narrative team of Congress Party!" Rijiju posted on X, attaching the image posted by the Congress MP from Telangana.

रामलीला मैदान में भारी भीड़ दिखाने के लिए, कांग्रेस पार्टी को कम से कम AI से बनी तस्वीर तो ठीक से तैयार करनी चाहिए थी। Even the fake AI photo to show that Ramlila ground was full is not done properly by the fake narrative team of Congress Party! https://t.co/uBAf9NIPau

— Kiren Rijiju (@KirenRijiju) November 1, 2026

The image was also circulated widely by Congress supporters on social media. Former MP and Congress Working Committee (CWC) member Jagdish Thakor also shared the same visual on his social media account.

Several users on X also flagged the image as AI-generated, pointing out that it depicted AI-created visuals of Rahul Gandhi and Sonia Gandhi on the rally stage. The stage shown in the image also appeared different from the actual setup at the venue.

The BJP on Sunday dismissed the INDIA bloc rally as a failure, claiming that the turnout fell significantly short of the Opposition's projections. Leaders of the ruling party shared photographs and videos showing vacant chairs at the venue, alleging that at least 40 per cent of the ground remained unoccupied.

Ahead of the rally, the Congress had projected a turnout of 10 lakh people for the protest demanding the removal of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar.

"The Congress said there will be a crowd of 10 lakh, but 40 per cent of the ground was empty," party MP and spokesperson Sambit Patra said on Sunday evening.

Taking a swipe at Rahul Gandhi, he further said that the crowd show at the rally was "trick photography. tricks don't make one Prime Minister."

In response to the BJP's allegations, the Congress shared drone footage and photographs of the rally venue, claiming that lakhs of people had gathered for the protest.

Addressing the gathering, Rahul Gandhi alleged that the 2024 Lok Sabha election was illegitimate, accusing Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar of facilitating “vote theft”.

"This theft of votes is no ordinary theft. This is the theft of every voice of India. This is called treason," Gandhi said. "Without Gyanesh Kumar, neither would Narendra Modi have become Prime Minister nor Amit Shah the Home Minister," he argued, insisting that Kumar will "go to jail" for the role he played.

Sunday’s rally was part of the Opposition’s ongoing campaign demanding the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar, following several media reports that questioned the functioning of the Election Commission and the conduct of the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls.

Ahead of the rally, Opposition leaders on Saturday evening staged a symbolic “impeachment” of Gyanesh Kumar at the residence of Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge.

The Election Commission and the BJP have rejected the allegations, accusing the Opposition of promoting a “fake narrative” against the institution.