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Journalism of Courage
Comedian Shyam Rangeela, whose nomination from Varanasi Lok Sabha constituency was rejected, Thursday said, “the right of a common citizen to contest elections in a democracy has been killed.”
In a post on X, Rangeela said, “The commission has deliberately cheated me and 24-25 other candidates. The right of a common citizen to contest elections in a democracy has been killed. There are some people who are pointing fingers at me, I would tell them to muster courage and go and talk to the other candidates. They would not have come for publicity?”
Rangeela had submitted his nomination papers on Tuesday to contest elections from Varanasi Lok Sabha constituency against Prime Minister Narendra Modi. On Wednesday evening, he said his nomination has been rejected “on the ground that he did not take the oath”.
In a video message, Rangeela had alleged that “the Election Commission has made elections in Varanasi a game.” “Today, my nomination was rejected… Today, the DM told me that there was some issue with my documents and that I didn’t take the oath… They didn’t let the lawyers go in with me and called me alone. Now, the reason they gave is that I didn’t take an oath and that it was on me to take an oath. I said you didn’t ask me to, and they responded it isn’t their work,” he added.
The Varanasi District Magistrate S Rajalingam, however, has responded to Rangeela’s video, saying, “Your nomination paper was scrutinized 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.”
