Elections in Bangladesh are imminent, with crucial contests expected between the Bangladesh Nationalist Party and the Jamaat-led coalition. As ground-level campaigning comes to a close, a more profound and less visible battle has been raging on social media for months. The India Today open-source intelligence unit has assessed the major narratives that are likely to impact these elections, analyzing social media platforms, party manifestos, and speeches from political leaders to gauge the present political climate.

The analysis reveals a disturbing trend where political parties are leveraging anti-India sentiments to gain traction among voters. Additionally, AI-generated videos have surfaced, falsely promoting the idea that this year's World Cup will be held in Dhaka, thus intertwining sports and politics in a novel and alarming way. The implications of this strategy are significant, as it raises concerns about the integrity of information circulating in the political arena and its potential effects on voter perceptions.

Moreover, cricket is being utilized as a political weapon in this electoral atmosphere. Supporters of political parties are actively incorporating sports into their campaigns, using rallies and social media to capitalize on the emotional connection that the populace has with cricket. This fusion of sports and politics not only aims to sway voter sentiment but also poses questions about the authenticity of political discourse in Bangladesh, as the nation prepares for these crucial elections amidst controversies and misinformation.