Deepfake row in Sikkim politics: SKM rubbishes SDF’s allegations as “baseless”

The row over deepfake in Sikkim politics has escalated the war of words between the ruling Sikkim Krantikari Morcha (SKM) and the Sikkim Democratic Front (SDF). A day after the SDF accused the SKM of preparing deepfake contents to malign the stature of former CM and party Chief Pawan Chamling, the ruling party today termed such allegations as “baseless”.

Condemning the act of levelling such allegations against the SKM in strongest terms, the party said that it was an attempt by the SDF to divert the attention of people. The SKM in a statement said, “SDF’s allegations against SKM for orchestrating deepfake activities are baseless and merely an attempt to divert attention from their own questionable tactics. We firmly reject the claims that our party, known for its commitment to the people of Sikkim, would engage in such deceptive practices.”

The SKM said that it is open for any kind of investigations and challenged the SDF to substantiate their allegations.

The statement read, “The call for a forensic examination of voice recordings and citizenship verification from competent authority will be welcomed by SKM as we have nothing to hide. We urge the SDF to reciprocate this commitment to transparency and subject their own records.”

The SKM leadership exuded confidence that people would opt for choosing SKM government yet again in 2024 under the leadership of Chief Minister Prem Singh Tamang.

The party in the statement mentioned, “Nevertheless, whatever tactics SDF plays there will not be any impact on people’s mind to re-form SKM government in 2024. SKM under pragmatic leadership of HCM Golay has been purely focused on people’s development rather than SDF who had gone missing from Sikkim’s politics for last four years and now trying to raise again seeing elections alike ‘Jhari ko Chew’. People have made their mindset to make SKM win 32 out of 32 plus clean sweep in lone MP seat.”

Yesterday, the SDF in a serious allegation, had accused the ruling Sikkim Krantikari Morcha (SKM) led by Chief Minister PS Tamang of preparing deepfake voice notes as well as videos with an intention to defame former 5-time Chief Minister Pawan Chamling as well as his party’s growing popularity.

According to the SDF, deepfake contents have been prepared in such a way that may offend different communities in the Himalayan state. The SDF accused the SKM of being back to its old tricks of spreading false propaganda ahead of polls.