A political storm erupted across Odisha after a video circulated online purportedly showing Chikiti BJP lawmaker Manoranjan Dyan Samantra embracing and attempting to kiss a man during a ministerial press conference on the Ganjam flood crisis.
Humiliation met instant outrage. The footage—recorded as Fisheries and Animal Resources Development Minister Gokulananda Mallik briefed journalists on widespread inundation—prompted sharp attacks from the opposition Biju Janata Dal. Yet within hours, Samantra's family launched an aggressive counter-offensive, asserting the entire recording was an artificial intelligence fabrication designed to destroy his standing.
Samantra, a first-time lawmaker elected to the Odisha Legislative Assembly from the Chikiti constituency in 2024, stood positioned behind Minister Mallik as television cameras recorded live updates on the flood response across southern Odisha.
The video clip shows the legislator turning toward an unidentified man standing beside him, wrapping an arm around him, and moving to kiss his cheek while Mallik addresses reporters.
Opposition leaders seized the visual instantly. The BJD broadcast the clip across official digital channels, framing the conduct as a callous display while citizens across Ganjam battled rising waters.
Ganjam has been swept away by the floods... BJP leaders are jumping for joy.
Official Statement, Biju Janata Dal
Samantra did not answer telephone calls seeking clarification. State party spokespersons also did not offer immediate comment.
Then came the pushback. Samantra's wife, Meena Sahu, released alternative footage from the identical press briefing, asserting that the viral segment was an engineered fake crafted through generative AI tools to malign the legislator's character.
Sahu publicly petitioned the Berhampur Police leadership to open a criminal investigation against opposition workers in the constituency.
This is the real video of Chikiti MLA in which he is patiently listening to the minister, but the BJD Chikiti social media team made an AI video to demean the MLA. Being his wife, I request Berhampur Police to take strict action against these culprits.
Meena Sahu, Wife of MLA Manoranjan Dyan Samantra
| Key Controversy Parameters | Case Record |
|---|---|
| Public Official Involved | Manoranjan Dyan Samantra (BJP MLA, Chikiti) |
| Year Elected to Assembly | 2024 (First Term) |
| Event Location | Official Flood Briefing with Minister Gokulananda Mallik |
| Opposition Claim | Callous conduct during natural disaster by ruling party MLA |
| Defense Counter-Claim | Generative AI manipulation and malicious video tampering |
| Target Law Enforcement Agency | Berhampur District Police |
Berhampur Police officials are reviewing the digital filings submitted by Sahu as technical teams assess the original broadcast reels from the ministerial briefing.