A popular artificial intelligence trend that transforms modern photographs into retro-style images has become the latest battleground between the BJP and Congress, social media teams.

The trend, widely used to give contemporary pictures the appearance of photographs taken in the 1970s or 1980s, initially gained popularity as a light-hearted online activity. However, political units associated with the two national parties have used the visual format to exchange provocative and indirect attacks.

The online clash began after the Kerala Congress unit posted an AI-generated image featuring a bald man sitting in the front passenger seat of a Maruti Omni van. It captioned the picture, “A Gujarat street in the 80s,” prompting users to interpret the visual as a political message aimed at the BJP and its association with Gujarat.

The Congress post depicted a retro street scene with the Omni van at appearing prominently in the foreground. A poster visible beside the road carried a Hindi message translating to “Please smile, you are in Delhi.”

Although the post did not directly identify a political leader, its references to Gujarat and Delhi encouraged social media users to draw political interpretations. The image soon attracted reactions and comments from supporters and critics of both parties.

The choice of vehicle also added another layer to the online discussion. The Maruti Omni, launched in India in 1984, became one of the country’s most recognisable vans. Its frequent appearance as a vehicle used by criminals in older commercial films later turned it into a recurring subject of internet memes.

By placing an unidentified bald man inside the vehicle and linking the scene to Gujarat, the post relied on suggestion instead of making an explicit allegation. That ambiguity helped the image spread rapidly while allowing users to debate its intended target.

The Telangana BJP unit responded by reposting the Congress message alongside another AI-generated retro image. The picture showed a woman in a red dress dancing on a table inside what appeared to be a bar, with people watching and liquor bottles displayed in the background.

The BJP described the scene as “Lusiana, Italy. Circa-1970s.” The post did not name a Congress leader, but Lusiana is known as the Italian birthplace of Sonia Gandhi. As a result, many users interpreted it as an indirect reference to the senior Congress figure.

The BJP’s Kerala unit reportedly joined the exchange with a similar AI-generated visual showing leaders cheering inside a bar while watching a dancer. Once again, the post appeared designed to communicate its political message without directly naming an individual. The competing posts transformed the viral visual trend into a personalised battle shaped by insinuations, cultural references and partisan interpretations.

Artificial intelligence tools have made it easier for users to produce realistic fictional scenes in a matter of minutes. Political organisations can now create shareable images that resemble old photographs, film stills or news pictures without organising a conventional photo shoot.

This accessibility has expanded the visual possibilities available to campaign teams, but it has also raised questions about misinformation, manipulated media and political accountability. AI-generated content can circulate quickly, while some users may not immediately recognise that an image is fictional. In this instance, the posts were presented as stylised political memes rather than authentic archival photographs. Nevertheless, their personalised insinuations shifted attention away from public policy and towards provocative online point-scoring.

The exchange demonstrates how quickly an entertainment-focused AI trend can be repurposed for political campaigning. Instead of using the format for humour alone, the party units deployed it to target their opponents through imagery that invited potentially demeaning interpretations.

Political satire and sharp criticism are established parts of democratic debate. However, social media teams representing major parties also carry a responsibility to ensure their content does not mislead audiences or reduce public discourse to personal attacks.

The episode may bring significant engagement to the accounts involved, but it also highlights the risks of using generative AI without clear boundaries. As political parties adopt more sophisticated digital tools, transparent labelling and responsible communication will become increasingly important. What began as a nostalgic internet trend has therefore evolved into another example of how AI is changing India’s political messaging—and how easily creative technology can intensify partisan conflict.