Famous for his imitators of Narendra Modi, comedian Shyam Rangeela has announced his candidature as an independent from Varanasi for the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, taking against the Prime Minister.
Rangeela made his plan to address PM Modi head-on clear when he imitated the statement, “one should get a response in their own language,” in a video posted on X (formerly Twitter). He stated, “I, Shyam Rangeela, the comedian, have come to do my ‘Mann ki baat’ with you.” He clarified, responding to rumours that he was running for office, saying, “This is serious business.From Varanasi, I am running against PM Modi in the election.Elections are open to contest in this democracy, and I’m doing this for a purpose.
Rangeela emphasised the need for voters to have a variety of options when citing recent events such as the clear victory in the Surat constituency and the controversy surrounding the Chandigarh mayoral votes. He chose to run in Varanasi out of concern that there would not be many other possibilities, in an effort to give voice to a variety of voices.
Rangeela said he was ready to take on Modi and thanked the Varanasi people for their support, saying, “I’m coming to give Modi an answer in his own language.” In a lighthearted way, he brought up the absence of electoral ties during his campaign, emphasising his need on popular support.
Appealing for assistance and votes, Rangeela reminded the public of his independent stance after briefly affiliating with the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) in 2022. He affirmed his decision to operate autonomously.
Varanasi is scheduled for polling in the seventh phase of the Lok Sabha elections on June 1, with results slated for June 4.