Comedian Shyam Rangeela, known for his videos mimicking Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has said he will contest Lok Sabha Elections 2024 against the Prime Minister from the Varanasi seat.
Varanasi seat in Uttar Pradesh will go to poll in the seventh phase of voting in the Lok Sabha election on June 1. The results will be declared on June 4.
Rangeela made the announcement of his decision on social media on May 1.
Prime Minister Modi, who won the seat twice in 2014 and 2019, is expected to file nomination from Varanasi on May 13.
Who is Shyam Rangeela?
Born and brought up in Rajasthan’s Hanumangarh, Rangeela studied animation. Rangeela is known for his mimicry skills, especially for impersonating political figures. He made a mark as a comedian by his comedy performances in ‘The Great Indian Laughter Challenge’.
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Twenty-nine-year-old Rangeela shot to fame first time in 2017 when his impersonation of Prime Minister Modi became widely popular on social media. Since then, Rangeela has been making videos mimicking the Prime Minister from his speeches and interviews.
Apart from PM Modi, Rangeela has also impersonated other political figures such as Rahul Gandhi. Rangeela has been critical of PM Modi and his policies.
Once a Modi ‘Bhakt’
In his election announcement video on May 1, Rangeela cited the BJP’s unopposed victory in the Surat constituency and the controversy in the Chandigarh mayoral polls. “I feel like it shouldn’t be that there is no other candidate to vote for. Even if one person wants to vote against a candidate, he or she has that right. Someone’s name should be on the EVM,” he said,
Rangeela had joined Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) in 2002. However, later, he decided to work independently, saying that “he is his own master”.
In one of the interviews, Rangeela had recounted his journey from being a supporter of PM Modi to a disillusioned critic, citing restrictions imposed on his comedic work as a turning point.
“I was a bhakt (fan) even till 2016-17, but then restrictions were imposed on me,” he said in the interview.
Other candidates
With Prime Minister Modi in fray, the contest for Varanasi seat becomes symbolic. The Congress has fielded its Uttar Pradesh unit chief, Ajay Rai, from Varanasi. Rai finished third in 2014 and 2019 Lok Sabha elections.
Delhi Chief MinisterArvind Kejriwalhad finished second in the Varanasi seat in 2014 Lok Sabha elections.
Among other candidates, transgender Mahamandaleshwar Hemangi Sakhi is also a candidate in the high-profile seat in Uttar Pradesh.
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Published: 02 May 2024, 10:36 AM IST