Varanasi DM clarifies why Shyam Rangeela's nomination for Lok Sabha election was rejected

Shyam Rangeela, a comedian famous for his impersonations of PM Modi, had his nomination for the Varanasi Lok Sabha seat rejected due to his failure to submit the required affidavit.

Shyam Rangeela claimed that despite his attempts to file his nomination since May 10, he was denied access to the district magistrate's office on the day Prime Minister Modi submitted his nomination papers. "Winning or losing is a different matter, but I will contest the elections against the Prime Minister at any cost. I am not contesting elections to become famous; I am already very famous among the public," he stated.

Varanasi DM responded to Shyam Rangeela's video on X, explaining, "Your nomination paper was scrutinised in your presence and you were informed about the deficiencies. Your nomination paper has been cancelled because the affidavit submitted by you was incomplete and you did not take the oath/affirmation, a copy of the order of which has also been made available to you."


On May 14, Shyam Rangeela filed his nomination and shared a video on X (formerly Twitter). However, the Election Commission of India's website showed his nomination was rejected the following day.

Congress leader Surendra Rajput supported Shyam Rangeela, emphasising that everyone, including Prime Minister Modi, has the right to file nominations. Rajput claimed that the administration was not providing Shyam Rangeela with the necessary nomination papers.

"Everyone is free to file a nomination, including PM Modi. However, other people are not allowed to file their nominations from the constituency. A YouTuber named Shyam Rangeela, who wished to file a nomination from Varanasi, isn't getting nomination papers from the administration. Why is PM Modi afraid of people? Let them contest against you," Rajput said.

Prime Minister Modi is seeking a third term from the Varanasi constituency, having won by significant margins in previous elections, with 4.8 lakh votes in 2019 and 3.72 lakh votes in 2014. Fourteen individuals have submitted their nominations, including Congress candidate Ajai Rai and Bahujan Samajwadi Party's Athar Ali Lari. Rangeela, a YouTuber and mimic from Hanumangarh, Rajasthan, gained popularity in 2017 for his impersonation of PM Modi.

The Varanasi constituency in Uttar Pradesh will go to polls in the seventh and final phase of polling on June 1. The counting of votes for the Lok Sabha election will be on June 4.