Comedian Shyam Ranjira, known for his videos imitating Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has said that he will contest against him from the Varanasi seat in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections.
Varanasi seat in Uttar Pradesh will go to polls in the seventh phase of Lok Sabha elections on June 1. Results will be announced on June 4th.
Langella announced his decision on social media on May 1.
Prime Minister Modi, who won the seat twice in 2014 and 2019, is scheduled to file his nomination from Varanasi on May 13.
Who is Shyam Rangeela?
Born and brought up in Hanumangarh, Rajasthan, Ranjeela studied animation. Langella is known for his impersonation skills, especially impersonating politicians. He made a name for himself as a comedian with his comedic performance in ‘The Great Indian Laughter Challenge’.
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Rangeela, 29, first rose to fame in 2017 when her impersonation of Prime Minister Modi became widely known on social media. Since then, Langella has been making videos imitating the prime minister’s speeches and interviews.
Apart from PM Modi, Ranjeela has also impersonated other politicians, including Rahul Gandhi. Rangeela has been critical of Prime Minister Modi and his policies.
once prime minister modi “Bakuto”
In his election announcement video on May 1, Ranjeela referred to the Bharatiya Janata Party’s uncontested victory in Surat constituency and the controversy in the Chandigarh mayoral polls. “I don’t think there should be a situation where there are no other candidates to vote for. Even if someone wants to vote against a candidate, he has the right to do so. “There should be,” he said.
Rangeela joined the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) in 2002, but later decided to work independently, saying, “I am my own master.”
In one of her interviews, Rangeela talked about her journey from being a supporter of Prime Minister Modi to becoming a disillusioned critic, and said the restrictions placed on her comedy work were a turning point.
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“I bakuto (Fans) were there from 2016 to 2017, but then restrictions were put in place,” he said in an interview.
Other candidates
The fight for the Varanasi seat has become symbolic as Prime Minister Narendra Modi is at odds. The Congress has fielded Uttar Pradesh unit chief Ajay Rai from Varanasi. Rai came third in the 2014 and 2019 Lok Sabha elections.
Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwalhad came second in the Varanasi seat in the 2014 Lok Sabha elections.
Among other candidates, transgender Mahamandaleshwar Hemangi Sakhi is also a candidate for the high-profile seat in Uttar Pradesh.
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