Comedian Shyam Rangeela to contest from Varanasi Against Modi in Lok Sabha Elections 2024

Shyam Rangeela, a comedian renowned for his mimicry videos of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has announced his intention to run against the Prime Minister in the Varanasi seat for the Lok Sabha Elections 2024. The Varanasi parliamentary constituency in Uttar Pradesh is set to vote in the seventh polling phase of the Lok Sabha election 2024 on June 1, with the results to be declared on June 4.

Rangeela made his candidature announcement for the Lok Sabha 2024 from Varanasi via social media on Wednesday, May 1. Modi, who has won this seat twice in 2014 and 2019, is expected to file his nomination from Varanasi on May 13. 

Who is Shyam Rangeela? 

Born and raised in Rajasthan’s Hanumangarh, Rangeela pursued studies in animation. He is recognized for his mimicry skills, particularly of political figures, and has appeared as a comedian on ‘The Great Indian Laughter Challenge’ on TV.

Rangeela first gained fame in 2017 when his mimicry act of PM Modi went viral on social media. Since then, he has been creating videos mimicking the PM’s speeches and interviews. In addition to Modi, Rangeela has also made mimicry videos of other political figures such as Rahul Gandhi. For some time now, Rangeela has been critical of PM Modi and his policies, as evident in his videos. In fact, the video announcing his candidacy included portions where Rangeela is heard mimicking PM Modi’s voice.

Once a Modi ‘Bhakt’ 

In his election announcement video on May 1, Rangeela referred to the BJP’s unopposed victory in the Surat constituency and the controversy in the Chandigarh mayoral polls. “I feel like there should always be another 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 in his video posted on X, formerly Twitter.

Rangeela initially entered politics when he joined the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) in 2002. However, he later decided to work independently, stating that “he is his own master." In one of the interviews, Rangeela 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 an interview with The Indian Express.

Other Candidates 

With Modi in the race, the contest for the Varanasi seat becomes symbolic. The Congress has fielded its Uttar Pradesh unit chief, Ajay Rai, from Varanasi. Rai finished third in the 2014 and 2019 Lok Sabha elections. Delhi Chief Minister, Arvind Kejriwal, had finished second from the Varanasi seat in the 2014 Lok Sabha elections. Among other candidates, transgender Mahamandaleshwar Hemangi Sakhi is also a candidate in the high-profile seat in Uttar Pradesh.