Maharashtra deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde on Thursday slameed the Uddhav Thackeray-led Shiv Sena faction over demeaning Sena patriarch late Bal Thackeray by using AI technology to recreate his voice.
Shinde's remarks came after artificial intelligence was used to create Bal Thackeray's voice at a party event. A 13-minute speech in a voice resembling that of Bal Thackeray was played at a Sena (UBT) gathering in Nashik in north Maharashtra on Wednesday.
"Nobody will stay with the Shiv Sena (UBT) because Uddhav Thackeray has betrayed his father's ideals", Shinde told reporters, as per PTI.
"We freed the Shiv Sena from the clutches of the Congress. They (Uddhav Thackeray and his party) were not only dislodged from power, but also from the minds of people. If they have any shame left, they should not resort to such childish acts and demean Balasaheb. Do not behave in a way that will hurt Balasaheb," he added.
Responding to his barbs, Sena (UBT) MP Sanjay Raut said those who formed a "fake Shiv Sena" using the Sena founder's name should not comment on the issue.
State BJP chief Chandrashekhar Bawankule, in a post on X on Wednesday, called it a childish stunt.
Commenting on the development, former Union minister Narayan Rane said, "Uddhav Thackeray has all the audio and video clips of late Balasaheb Thackeray, but what is the point in playing an AI-generated video in Nashik. He never implemented his father's thoughts and dragged his party in to wrong direction." "I served in the Sena for 39 years and I still consider Balasaheb Thackeray as my guru. But Uddhav is nowhere close to his father when it comes to leading an organisation and supporting his party workers. I am ready to discuss Shiv Sena and Balasaheb's teachings with Uddhav on any public platform," Rane added.
