Posters featuring Prime Minister Narendra Modi with the phrase ‘Ji Pay’ have appeared in several places in Tamil Nadu soon after he campaigned for the BJP in the upcoming Lok Sabha elections, calling upon Tamilians to root out the ruling DMK.
No party or individual claimed responsibility for the posters that depict Modi's image alongside the phrase "Ji Pay," cleverly referencing the digital payment service GPay while incorporating a regional context.
Similar posters were also found ahead of the Karnataka Assembly elections, where posters depicted the then Chief Minister Boppanna with a QR code and the phrase ‘Pay CM’ to expose the alleged corruption during his tenure.
‘Ji Pay’, in Tamil Nadu, ‘Ji’ is being used to refer to the members belonging to the Sangh Parivar who use it as an honorific in Hindi. It also offers details of the alleged scam over the electoral bonds upon scanning the QR code printed on the posters.
Upon scanning, a link would lead to a video that delves into various controversies surrounding the Modi administration, including the controversial electoral bond scheme.
While the origin of these posters remains shrouded in mystery, conjecture has naturally turned to the DMK, given their criticism of Modi's governance and their persistent accusations regarding electoral malpractice. However, as of yet, no political entity or individual has claimed responsibility for the campaign.
With Lok Sabha elections looming and the emergence of these posters right after Modi's campaign blitz in Tamil Nadu, it underscores the intensity of the electoral battleground in Tamil Nadu.