Tamil Nadu Finance Minister Palanivel Thiagarajan: 'Audios Are Deep Fake'; 'Sabareesan Has Been My Most Trusted Advisor'; 'Attempts To Divide Us Will Fail'

Tamil Nadu Finance Minister Palanivel Thiagarajan has released a video statement in response to the audio released by Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) state president K Annamalai yesterday (25 April), in which, the voice alleged to be that of Thiagarajan refers to 'money-management', 'spoils' and liking the 'one man one post' policy of the BJP among other things.

He said that today's statement is a continuation of his earlier statement on 22 April and he would begin by showing some examples of deep fakes made using Artificial Intelligence (AI).

The examples shown are that of former Delhi BJP chief Manoj Tiwari, and former US Presidents Barack Obama and Donald Trump.

After the examples were played out he said that "If such authentic-looking videos can be machine-generated imagine what all can be done with audio files.

"I strongly and specifically deny, I having said to any individual, personally or on the phone, at any point of time, what is contained in the audio clip being circulated on social media since yesterday, the source of which nobody accepts ownership for."

Continuing his statement, he said that Annamalai had descended to the level of using an audio of 'somebody telling nobody about some others' and certain forces were resorting to such tactics because they are unable to 'digest the achievements' of the Dravidian Model.

Speaking about his relationship with the DMK first family he said that while Chief Minister MK Stalin is the guiding light of Tamil Nadu and the hope of our country, his son Sports Minister Udhayanidhi Stalin is the hope of the next generation. He added that he was among the foremost of those who urged Udhayanidhi's elevation to the state cabinet.

Further, he said that Udhayanidhi is a hands-on and grassroots administrator and performing excellently in his portfolio.

He then asks how could he question such an outstanding performer.

Moving on to the role played by Sabareesan, the son-in-law of Chief Minister MK Stalin, he said that from the first days of his public life, Sabareesan has been his most trusted advisor, guide and pillar of support.

He concluded his statement by saying that attempts to create a rift amongst them would fail and the DMK would remain 'one party one movement and one extended family.'

Also Read: Tamil Nadu: Another Audio, Allegedly Of State Finance Minister Palanivel Thiagarajan, Released By Annamalai; References To 'Money Management', 'Spoils' Heard