Thiruvananthapuram, December 7, 2025 – In a bold and unconventional move blending technology with targeted outreach, the Sangh Parivar has unleashed an AI-generated persona – a relatable "Christian housewife" – to intensify its appeal to Kerala's Christian voters just days before the first phase of local body elections. The campaign, which discreetly criticizes the Congress and the ruling Left Democratic Front (LDF), is circulating via videos that highlight community grievances, positioning the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) as the emerging alternative.
The initiative, launched amid heightened political jockeying, covers seven districts with significant Christian demographics: Thiruvananthapuram, Kollam, Pathanamthitta, Kottayam, Idukki, Alappuzha, and Ernakulam. Polling in these areas is scheduled to begin on December 9, setting the stage for a fiercely contested battle where minority outreach could prove decisive.
At the heart of the campaign is a short AI-generated video featuring a middle-aged Christian woman in a simple saree, speaking directly to the camera in a mix of Malayalam and English. She laments the "orphaned" feeling within the community following the passing of veteran leaders like K. Karunakaran, Oommen Chandy, and K.M. Mani, as well as A.K. Antony's retreat from frontline politics. The video underscores deepening insecurities, including a perceived decline in the Christian population, youth migration abroad, and the growing number of vacant homes in once-thriving villages.
"We feel neglected, like our voices don't matter anymore," the AI persona declares in the clip, which has been shared through WhatsApp groups and social media without any overt attribution to avoid breaching the Model Code of Conduct. The content escalates by accusing the Congress of indifference toward Christian concerns, such as objecting to Economically Weaker Sections (EWS) reservations for the community and failing to respond when a bishop was allegedly manhandled during a public event. The LDF, meanwhile, is lambasted for "appeasement politics" that allegedly prioritizes other groups at the expense of Christians.
The video pivots to recent flashpoints to bolster the BJP's credentials: its vocal support in the Munambam Waqf land dispute, where Christian residents faced eviction threats, and its stance in the hijab controversy at a Christian-managed school. It also takes a swipe at Kerala Leader of the Opposition V.D. Satheesan, questioning his defense of the Jamaat-e-Islami, a move portrayed as out of touch with community values.
This AI-driven tactic is the latest in a series of RSS-led efforts to bridge historical divides with Kerala's Christian community, which makes up about 18% of the state's population. For over three years, the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) has engaged in quiet dialogues with Church leaders, a process that began during the tenure of former Sarsanghchalak K.S. Sudarshan and continues under current chief Mohan Bhagwat. Bhagwat recently reiterated in Bengaluru that the RSS aims to heal societal rifts, including outreach to Pentecostal groups, though these talks remain under wraps to sidestep political backlash.
A senior RSS functionary, speaking anonymously, described the campaign as an organic extension of these engagements. "The church and RSS have decided not to publicise these dialogues. This is an extension of the engagement that began when K.S. Sudarshan was the Sarsanghchalak," the leader said. "We have now asked our cadres to actively reach out to the Christian community. In turn, the Church is encouraging its laity to reassess its perception about RSS."
From the BJP's vantage, the strategy is yielding tangible momentum. The party has fielded the highest number of Christian candidates in these polls, surpassing even traditional allies like the Kerala Congress factions. A senior BJP office-bearer expressed optimism about breakthroughs in key areas. "Through the references in the video, the party is positioning itself as the only credible alternative for Christian voters," the official noted. "In Thiruvananthapuram, we are close to seizing power... In Kollam and Alappuzha districts, we will have good advancement in Karunagappally and Kayamkulam respectively. The outreach programme and the confidence we have built with the Churches are expected to reflect in Kottayam, Idukki, Pathanamthitta, and Ernakulam as well."
Neither the Congress nor the LDF has issued an official response to the video as of Sunday evening, though party insiders dismissed it as a "desperate Sangh ploy" to communalize the polls. Various Church denominations, when approached, either denied knowledge of the RSS dialogues or declined comment, underscoring the sensitivity of the issue.
The emergence of AI in political campaigning marks a new frontier in Kerala's hyper-competitive electoral landscape, where digital tools are increasingly weaponized for micro-targeting. Critics argue it risks deepening communal fault lines, but proponents see it as a savvy adaptation to a fragmented voter base. As ballots are cast in less than 48 hours, the "Christian housewife's" message could sway undecided voters in these pivotal districts, potentially reshaping local power dynamics.
With the BJP eyeing a foothold in a state long dominated by the LDF-Congress bipolarity, this episode highlights how technology is amplifying traditional social engineering. Observers will watch closely to see if the virtual voice translates into real votes – or merely fuels fresh acrimony.
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