Mumbai (Commonwealth Union)_ The ongoing 2024 Lok Sabha elections, aimed at electing a new union government, are progressing well. The Election Commission’s comprehensive plan, scheduling the elections in seven phases commenced from April 19. These phases span across the nation’s 543 parliamentary constituencies, with subsequent stages set for April 19, April 26, May 7, May 13, May 20, May 25, and June 1. Accordingly, the culmination of this electoral process is anticipated with the announcement of the Lok Sabha election results on June 4.
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In the midst of this political fervor, a notable development that is gaining wide attention is the participation of Indian celebrities, encompassing Bollywood actors and cricket stars, in the electoral race of 2024. Among the luminaries poised to contest the Lok Sabha Elections, notable figures include Kangana Ranaut and Arun Govil. Additionally, the roster of celebrity contenders extends further, encompassing figures like Ravi Kishan, Hema Malini, and Manoj Tiwari, all adding their unique mark to the electoral landscape.
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Kangana Ranaut
Kangana Ranaut, a prominent Bollywood actress, has aligned herself with the BJP and intends to vie for a seat in her birthplace, Mandi, Himachal Pradesh. Renowned for her portrayal of dynamic female characters in Bollywood, Ranaut now aspires to play a different kind of leadership role, one that is deep-rooted in political representation. While her decision to venture into politics has evoked both support and criticism, her electoral debut on a BJP ticket from Mandi raises speculation on her impact in the political realm, compared to her influence in the cinematic domain.
Arun Govil
Arun Govil, renowned for his portrayal of Lord Ram in Ramanand Sagar’s Ramayana, ventures into the political arena as a BJP candidate from Meerut, Uttar Pradesh. Transitioning from his celebrated acting career to a new chapter of public service, Govil’s candidacy underscores a convergence of popular culture and political engagement.
Ravi Kishan
Ravi Kishan, a popular Bhojpuri actor, seeks reelection on a BJP ticket from Gorakhpur, Uttar Pradesh, maintaining his status as a crowd-puller both on-screen and in the political arena.
Hema Malini
Iconic actress Hema Malini, revered as the ‘dream girl’ of Bollywood, continues her political journey, seeking reelection from Mathura, Uttar Pradesh, amidst scrutiny and controversy surrounding her recent campaign endeavors.
Manoj Tiwari
Manoj Tiwari, known for his contributions to Bhojpuri cinema, maintains his stronghold in Northeast Delhi as he vies for reelection under the BJP banner.
Yusuf Pathan
The appeal of celebrity candidature transcends the realm of cinema, extending to the sporting arena with the candidacy of former cricketer Yusuf Pathan. Contesting from Baharampur, West Bengal, on a Trinamool Congress ticket, Pathan’s foray into politics reflects his transition from the cricket pitch to the political stage.
Shatrughan Sinha
Shatrughan Sinha, acclaimed for his contributions to both Bollywood and politics, embarks on a new political journey as a Trinamool Congress candidate from Asansol, West Bengal. His candidature, characterized by his outspoken attitude and extensive political experience, adds a dynamic dimension to the electoral landscape.
Devendra Jhajharia
The convergence of sports and politics finds further expression with the candidacy of Indian Paralympic javelin thrower Devendra Jhajharia, representing the BJP from Churu, Rajasthan. Jhajharia’s candidacy underscores the symbiotic relationship between sportsmanship and public service, exemplifying a commitment to national representation beyond the confines of athletic arenas.
Moreover, the roster of celebrity contenders expands to encompass personalities like Bhojpuri film actor Dinesh Lal Yadav, contesting from Azamgarh, Uttar Pradesh for BJP, Suresh Gopi, Malayalam actor and BJP candidate contesting from Thrissur, Kerala and others, each bringing their unique blend of talent and public life to the electoral arena. Their collective presence underscores the intersection of popular culture and political engagement, shaping the narrative of the 2024 Lok Sabha elections.
Furthermore, other prominent celebrities in the electoral race are Kirti Azad from Bardhaman-Durgapur, Saayoni Ghosh from Jadavpur, Satabdi Roy from Birbhum, Partha Bhowmick from Barrackpore, Rachana Banerjee from Hooghly and Dev from Medinipur contesting for Trinamool Congress. While the contestants for BJP include Radhika Sarathkumar from Virudhunagar, Locket Chatterjee from Hooghly, and Agnimitra Paul from Medinipur.
