Comedian Alleges Obstruction in Standing Against Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi
A comedian known for his viral impressions of Narendra Modi has accused officials of not allowing him to file the paperwork that will let him stand as an independent candidate against the prime minister in India’s general elections. Shyam Rangeela, 29, expressed his desire to compete against Modi in Varanasi but faced rejection from local election officials for the past three days.
Despite his efforts, Mr. Rangeela was not allowed to submit his paperwork for nomination, citing unfairness in the political competition. His decision to run for elections stemmed from witnessing obstruction and discrimination in other constituencies as well.
Mr. Rangeela’s attempt to file nominations was met with various obstacles including long queues, lack of required forms, and officials not allowing entry into the nomination office. He expressed the importance of providing voters with multiple choices and not limiting options, even if he did not pose a direct threat to the prime minister.
Ultimately, Mr. Rangeela sees his participation in the election as a victory in itself, advocating for a more inclusive and competitive democratic process. The results of the election are set to be announced on June 4th, amid a backdrop of heightened security measures and heightened interest in Varanasi.