Lok Sabha elections 2024: Comedian Shyam Rangeela to challenge PM Narendra Modi in Varanasi
Lok Sabha elections 2024: Comedian Shyam Rangeela to challenge PM Narendra Modi in Varanasi
Comedian Shyam Rangeela, renowned for his uncanny impersonations of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, is all set for a brand new chapter in his life. The 29-year-old, whose real name is Shyam Sundar, will contest against the PM from the Varanasi constituency in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections. Narendra Modi is a two-time MP from the prestigious seat in Uttar Pradesh.
Announcing his candidacy, Rangeela, who is from Rajasthan, said, “I am excited by the love I am receiving from all of you after announcing that I am contesting elections from Varanasi. I will soon share my thoughts with you all through a video about reaching Varanasi, filing nomination and contesting the elections. Vande Mataram – Jai Hind.”
Shyam Rangeela came to prominence as a comedian after videos of his performances in The Great Indian Laughter Challenge, where he showcased his talent for mimicking political figures such as Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Congress President Rahul Gandhi, went viral.
Later in his career, in 2017, his videos mimicking PM Modi started becoming viral on social media.
Rangeela said that he faced opposition after his mimicry videos went viral and work dried up. “I would get offers from TV shows… But once I reached, I would find out that my act or script wasn’t being approved and I was removed from one show after another. When it happens again and again, you realise there is politics in comedy… Jab log rajneeti ke zariye comedy kar rahe hain (When people are doing comedy in the name of politics), then I will do politics via comedy… so that people realise I’m not just making hollow promises,” he said, News18 reported.
Born in Rajasthan’s Hanumangarh, Rangeela studied animation. He was always interested in stand-up comedy and mimicry.
Speaking to Indian Express on his political debut, Rangeela promised to give it all in the Lok Sabha polls and planned to file his nomination papers this weekend.
“Hum at least ye kehne ke liye wahan par khade hue honge ke hum yahan par loktantra khatre mein nahin aane denge, logon ko vote ke liye yahan option milega (We will be standing there to at least tell the people that we won’t let democracy come under threat here, to provide an option to people to exercise their right to vote)… unlike Surat or Indore,” Rangeela was quoted by Indian Express as saying.
On why he selected Varanasi, Rangeela said, “The entire country’s eyes are focused there. There is no mahaul against Modi ji there and anyone who can challenge him.”
Ahead of the Rajasthan Assembly elections in 2022, Shyam Rangeela joined the Aam Aadmi Party. He then tweeted a pic with AAP chief Arvind Kejriwal and wrote, “Rajasthan also needs ‘politics of work’, and we are with ‘politics of work’ and AAP.”
Rangeela had said he supported the BJP during the 2014 general elections. “Hardly anyone knew me then. I was not popular. I became an artiste later. The political atmosphere of the country has changed a lot since 2014. Intolerance towards satire and mimicry of politicians has increased,” he was quoted as saying by The Print.