When a political storm brews, the line between accusation and fabrication can blur. On 23 June 2026, Duvvada Srinivas, a senior member of the Andhra Pradesh Legislative Council and a prominent Yuvajana Sramika Rythu Congress Party (YSRCP) figure, claimed that Agriculture Minister K. Atchannaidu had leveraged his office to file police cases against him and to harass him for exposing the minister’s alleged irregularities in rice procurement.

Srinivas said the accusations stem from a video he believes was produced using artificial‑intelligence technology to defame him politically. He denied making any derogatory remarks about Deputy Chief Minister and Jana Sena Party president Pawan Kalyan, insisting that the clip was fabricated.

Police began questioning Srinivas at the Kotturu police station early on 22 June. The interrogation, which stretched until late that night, focused on the alleged remarks against Pawan Kalyan. According to reports, officers showed the MLC a clip they claimed contained the disputed statements, but Srinivas dismissed it as an AI‑made fabrication.

The police have scheduled a second round of questioning for 27 July. Srinivas said he would cooperate with the investigation but urged authorities not to frame false charges at the behest of influential people.

The episode unfolds amid a broader backdrop of political tension in Andhra Pradesh. The YSRCP, led by former Chief Minister Y. S. Jagan Mohan Reddy, remains in opposition to the ruling coalition that includes the Jana Sena Party. Minister Atchannaidu has faced scrutiny over procurement practices, particularly in the rice sector—a key commodity for the state. Srinivas also alleged that the minister targeted leaders of the Kalinga and Kapu communities, groups historically aligned with the opposition, as part of a strategy to suppress dissent.

The police investigation focuses on the authenticity of the video and the alleged remarks. No formal charges have been filed against Srinivas to date, and the case remains in its early stages. The outcome of the July questioning will determine whether further legal action is pursued.

Political observers note that the incident reflects the high level of friction between the YSRCP and the current state government. The YSRCP has previously accused the ruling coalition of using law‑enforcement agencies to target opposition figures.

The situation also highlights the emerging issue of AI‑generated content being used in political disputes. While Srinivas’s claim that the video was fabricated has not yet been independently verified, it raises questions about the role of synthetic media in shaping public perception.

At present, no additional information has been released by the police or the state government regarding the investigation. The YSRCP has not issued a formal statement in response to Srinivas’s allegations.

The case remains unresolved, and the next police hearing on 27 July will be a key event for both parties. The outcome could influence the political dynamics in Andhra Pradesh, especially as the state approaches the next election cycle.

In summary, Duvvada Srinivas has accused Agriculture Minister K. Atchannaidu of targeting him through police action and political harassment. He denies making remarks about Deputy Chief Minister Pawan Kalyan and claims that a video used against him was AI‑generated. The police are conducting an investigation, with a second questioning scheduled for 27 July. No formal charges have yet been announced, and the case is still developing.