Congress leader Zameer Ahmad Khan, a close associate of outgoing Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, on Monday flatly denied the authenticity of a viral audio clip purportedly linked to the Davanagere South bye-election, calling it 'fake' and claiming it was fabricated using Artificial Intelligence (AI) as part of a deliberate political conspiracy. The denial came as discussions over the formation of the new Karnataka Cabinet remain ongoing, with Khan widely regarded as a frontrunner for a senior ministerial berth.

What Khan Said

'The audio is fake and has been created using AI technology. This is a political conspiracy. I have not made any such remarks. All this has been fabricated to create confusion and mislead people. This is the handiwork of mischief-makers, and nobody should believe it,' Khan said in a press statement issued after the clip gained traction on social media.

Khan further stated that a complaint would be filed with the cyber crime police and that legal proceedings would be initiated against those responsible for creating and circulating the recording. He also challenged his critics directly, saying he was prepared to face any official probe into the clip's authenticity.

'Let any agency conduct an investigation into the audio. I am ready to face any probe,' he added.

What the Viral Clip Allegedly Contains

The purported audio, contained in a 3-minute and 51-second edited video, was widely shared on social media by accounts identified as 'KannadaCockroacc' and '@kannadacocylvb'. The recording allegedly captures a conversation between Khan and a Davanagere-based Congress leader identified as Siraj.

The speaker in the clip was allegedly heard discussing voting patterns and reportedly advising supporters not to mobilise Muslim voters in favour of the Congress party's official candidate. The audio also allegedly suggested backing for an Independent candidate and the Social Democratic Party of India (SDPI) over the Congress nominee — remarks that critics claim, if authentic, would amount to anti-party conduct during the bye-election.

Notably, the authenticity of the recording has not been independently verified, and no official investigation has been announced so far.

Political Context and Cabinet Stakes

The controversy has erupted at a particularly sensitive moment. The Karnataka Cabinet formation is currently under active discussion, and Khan is considered a strong contender for a prominent portfolio. Some political observers have alleged that Khan had sought to project himself as a leading Muslim voice in Karnataka and had therefore kept a deliberate distance from the high-profile Davanagere South campaign. Khan had cited his involvement in election campaigning in Kerala as the reason for his limited participation in the bypoll.

Critics contend that the timing of the audio's circulation — coinciding with cabinet negotiations — points to factional manoeuvring within Karnataka's political landscape. This is not the first time AI-generated or manipulated audio has been alleged in Indian state politics, reflecting a broader pattern of digital disinformation entering electoral discourse.

What Happens Next

Khan has indicated that a formal cyber crime complaint is imminent. Whether investigators can establish the clip's origin — and whether that finding influences his cabinet prospects — will be closely watched. The Karnataka Congress leadership has yet to issue an official response to the controversy.