New Delhi- "I'm not entering this election for fame; I'm here to safeguard our nation. By revealing the truth behind Prime Minister Narendra Modi's rhetoric to the people of Varanasi, I aim to earn their votes and support. I'm not just optimistic; I'm confident that the public will vote this time—to save our country."
These were the sentiments expressed by comedian Shyam Rangeela, who gained prominence after announcing his candidacy against PM Narendra Modi in Varanasi.
Hailing from the backward Prajapat (carpenter) community in Rajasthan, Shyam elaborated on his intentions in an exclusive conversation with The Mooknayak.
Shyam elaborated, "Since announcing my candidacy, I've been in touch with locals from Varanasi, both through social media and in person. Once I'm in Varanasi, I'll meet them personally to discuss local issues and strategize our campaign."
"To counter the divisive tactics employed through hate speech, we'll engage with constituents on fundamental issues like employment, corruption, and inflation," Shyam asserted.
"I'll contest the elections with the support of the public," Rangeela affirmed in response to a query. "This time, the public is contesting the elections to protect our Constitution and our nation. I'm merely their representative. I'll file my nomination only with their backing" says Shyam Rangeela who lacks even 25 thousand rupees to file the security amount for filing nomination papers. His only asset is his 25 lakh followers. "I'll fund my nomination through crowd-funding and arrange for a campaign vehicle through the same means," he added.
Comedian Rangeela first gained attention for his performances on The Great Indian Laughter Challenge, where he expertly mimicked prominent figures such as Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Congress leader Rahul Gandhi.
Despite receiving a standing ovation from judge Akshay Kumar, his act was never aired. Prior to this, he showcased his talents at an institute in Jaipur, where he impersonated these politicians.
In his political journey, Rangeela made a significant move by joining the Aam Aadmi Party in May 2022. This decision followed a series of tweets where he expressed frustration over TV shows rejecting him due to his comedy being deemed 'too political'.
Now, Rangeela is stepping into the political arena with a bold move, contesting the 2024 Indian general elections as an Independent candidate from the Varanasi constituency.
- Story Translated by Geetha Sunil Pillai
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