Once made career by mimicking Modi, Shyam Rangeela all set to take on PM from Varanasi

Once shot to fame by mimicking Narendra Modi, comedian Shyam Rangeela now plans to take on the prime minister in the latter's bastion of Varanasi.

The 29-year-old from Rajasthan, who was once a self-proclaimed diehard fan of Modi, on May 1 announced that he will reach Varanasi this weekend to file his nomination papers.

In a more than two-minute video clip shared on his official X handle, Rangeela expressed his intentions to contest against the prime minister.

“I, Shyam Rangeela, the comedian, have come to do my ‘Mann ki baat’ with you. There’s a question in all of your minds: Is what you hear in the news about Shyam Rangeela contesting the election from Varanasi true? Is this a joke? Let me tell you, this is not a joke…I am contesting the election from Varanasi against PM Modi…Anybody can contest elections in this democracy, and I’m doing this for a reason,” he said.

Talking about the recent unopposed BJP win in the Surat constituency and the row over Chandigarh mayoral polls, Rangeela said, “I feel like it shouldn’t be that there is no other 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.”

“…But I am scared that people would have only one candidate to vote for in Varanasi. So I have decided to contest the election from there…I hope my voice will reach there,” he added.

“The people of Varanasi have given me a lot of love. I’m elated by the response I got after I announced my candidacy. I’m coming to Varanasi soon…I’m coming to give Modi an answer in his own language,” Rangeela said.

Taking potshots at Modi and the Bharatiya Janata Party over the electoral bonds, Shyam Rangeela said, “I am excited to contest the election, but this is my first time. So, I would need your support. I don’t have electoral bonds and have not taken from anyone. So, I would need some wealth, too.”

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