The CPM on Saturday released an AI generated video of former Bengal chief minister Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee’s appeal to the electorate to vote out the BJP and the Trinamul Congress, attacking both on the issue of electoral bonds and Sandeshkhali respectively.

Sharing the 2.06-minute video on the social media account of the CPM’s Bengal unit, the party clarified the audio and video were generated by the use of artificial intelligence.

“The message in the video was recorded with the consent of Buddha da,” said a CPM leader.

The ailing chief minister has not made a public appearance since a rally on February 3 2019, ahead of the previous Lok Sabha elections, when he urged the party to ensure that the crowd gathered there translated into votes. A COPD-patient for years, Bhattacharjee remained ins his Ambassador car with an oxygen cylinder kept by his side and could neither climb the dais or address the assembled CPM cadre.

The year 2019 ended in a disappointment for the CPM as it failed to retain the two seats – Murshidabad and Raigunj – that the party had won in 2014, the year Narendra Modi became Prime Minister. This time the CPM is contesting the Lok Sabha polls following seat adjustments with the Congress. CPM state secretary Mohammad Salim is contesting from Murshidabad.

“Who is Narendra Modi? Who is Mamata Banerjee? Don’t give them a chance to ruin our country, our state,” a voice resembling Bhattacharjee's says in the video.

The video starts with the customary Bengali greeting of Nomoshkaar, followed by Bhattacharjee’s image enquiring about the well-being of the viewers.

“The situation in the country and the world (desh-duniya) is such that it is difficult to be living well. Whatever is going on in West Bengal,” says the image. “The Trinamul cannot be forgiven for what has unfolded in Sandeshkhali. There is no employment, women are unsafe. We were trying to rebuild the state. We wanted jobs for the young.”

In the AI generated message, the former chief minister also attacked the BJP.

“At the Centre is the dangabaaj, corrupt BJP, busy appeasing corporates with electoral bonds. Prices of essential goods are rising and communalism is spreading. Remember, the BJP has expanded in Bengal during the Trinamul’s reign.”

In 2016, Bhattacharjee had shared the dais with the Congress’ Rahul Gandhi at the Park Circus maidan in the last leg of the Bengal Assembly polls.

Eight years later the CPM and the Congress have joined hands in a battle for survival in Bengal in this election.

“Had his health permitted, he would have definitely addressed a few rallies that would have bolstered our chances. We thought of using AI as an alternate means to send across his message,” explained a CPM leader.

This election the CPM is also utilising an AI anchor, Samata, for its campaign on social media.