In Andhra Pradesh, a digital war is taking place between the ruling YSRCP and their opponent, the TDP. Both parties are extensively using social media to target each other. Recently, a Twitter handle named ‘Team Lokesh’ circulated a video falsely depicting girls dancing to the song ‘Psycho Povali.. Cycle Ravali..’ which was created by TDP to portray Jagan as Psycho. However, it should be noted that the video is not from Andhra Pradesh, and the girls were not dancing to the ‘psycho povali’ song. The video got 20 thousand views in less than 24 hours.
సైకో పోవాలి…. సైకిల్ రావాలి… మాస్ 🔥😍🥰 pic.twitter.com/VuSl3XrYTg
— Team Lokesh (@Srinu_LokeshIst) October 30, 2023
The video is a doctored video. The original video of that girl dancing was actually posted on an Instagram account named ‘deepa_kamble_official‘ two months ago. In the video, we can see some members of the group carrying blue and yellow flags. Upon checking the comments section, it is evident that most of the comments say ‘Jay Lahuji,’ indicating that it may have been a procession or celebration in honour of ‘Lahuji Raghoji Salve’s birth anniversary. Salve was a notable Dalit activist and freedom fighter from Maharashtra.
The girls in the group were wearing yellow dresses, and some were carrying a yellow flag. Telugu Desam Party supporters used this to their advantage, portraying them as TDP followers. In a video posted by Team Lokesh, they removed the background music (BGM) from the original video and added the song “Psycho povali.. cycle ravali..” a TDP-created song targeting Jagan as part of their digital propaganda campaign. These cheap tactics are being used by the TDP to falsely portray public opposition against Jagan.
Same propaganda was earlier done by Mahaa News
Recently, another video was posted on the Mahaa News YouTube channel, a Telugu news channel. The video was titled ‘CM YS Jagan removed my pension’. In the video, a handicapped girl can be seen dancing. However, it is important to note that this video is originally from Odisha, and the handicapped girl was dancing to a Hindi song during Rathyatra celebrations in Odisha.
The morphed video published by Mahaa News is deplorable.
— FactCheck.AP.Gov.in (@FactCheckAPGov) July 4, 2023
The specially abled girl is dancing to the tunes of a Krishna Bhajan during #RathaYatra celebrations in Odisha. The video has been morphed.
The original video link is here: https://t.co/wW0FQLZDBj pic.twitter.com/KPfDXm0qSR
Unfortunately, this TDP-favouring news channel attempted to blame CM Jagan by falsely claiming that his government had removed the girl’s pension. A Twitter handle belonging to the AP government fact-check department confirmed that Mahaa News had manipulated the video. YSRCP supporters and followers have criticised the TDP for using cheap tactics to blame the YSR Jagan government.
This election season, be vigilant on digital media. All parties will try to show such fake content to you. Be Careful and double check before sharing anything with your friends.
