Lok Sabha Elections 2024: Meet Shyam Rangeela, the comedian contesting against PM Modi in Varanasi

The Varanasi parliamentary constituency successful Uttar Pradesh volition spell to canvass successful the seventh signifier of voting successful the Lok Sabha predetermination connected June 1. The results volition beryllium declared connected June 4.

Rangeela made the announcement of his determination connected societal media connected May 1. 

Prime Minister Modi, who won the spot doubly successful 2014 and 2019, is expected to record information from Varanasi connected May 13.

Who is Shyam Rangeela?

Born and brought up successful Rajasthan’s Hanumangarh, Rangeela studied animation. Rangeela is known for his mimicry skills, particularly for impersonating governmental figures. He made a people arsenic a comedian by his drama performances successful ‘The Great Indian Laughter Challenge’.

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Twenty-nine-year-old Rangeela changeable to fame archetypal clip successful 2017 erstwhile his impersonation of Prime Minister Modi became wide fashionable connected societal media. Since then, Rangeela has been making videos mimicking the Prime Minister from his speeches and interviews.

Apart from PM Modi, Rangeela has besides impersonated different governmental figures specified arsenic Rahul Gandhi. Rangeela has been captious of PM Modi and his policies.

Once a Modi 'Bhakt'

In his predetermination announcement video connected May 1, Rangeela cited the BJP’s unopposed triumph successful the Surat constituency and the contention successful the Chandigarh mayoral polls. “I consciousness similar it shouldn’t beryllium that determination is nary different campaigner to ballot for. Even if 1 idiosyncratic wants to ballot against a candidate, helium oregon she has that right. Someone’s sanction should beryllium connected the EVM," helium said,

Rangeela had joined Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) successful 2002. However, later, helium decided to enactment independently, saying that “he is his ain master".

In 1 of the interviews, Rangeela had recounted his travel from being a protagonist of PM Modi to a disillusioned critic, citing restrictions imposed connected his comedic enactment arsenic a turning point. 

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"I was a bhakt (fan) adjacent till 2016-17, but past restrictions were imposed connected me," helium said in the interview.

Other candidates

With Prime Minister Modi successful fray, the contention for Varanasi spot becomes symbolic. The Congress has fielded its Uttar Pradesh portion chief, Ajay Rai, from Varanasi. Rai finished 3rd successful 2014 and 2019 Lok Sabha elections.

Delhi Chief MinisterArvind Kejriwalhad finished 2nd successful the Varanasi spot successful 2014 Lok Sabha elections.

Among different candidates, transgender Mahamandaleshwar Hemangi Sakhi is besides a campaigner successful the high-profile spot successful Uttar Pradesh.

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Published: 02 May 2024, 10:36 AM IST