As the Madhya Pradesh assembly elections draw near, the Congress party has unveiled its first list of 144 candidates, including a familiar face from the world of television. Vikram Mastal, a renowned television actor celebrated for his portrayal of Lord Hanuman in the 2008 television series Ramayan, is set to enter the political arena by contesting against Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan in the upcoming elections. This political debut marks a significant development in the electoral landscape of Madhya Pradesh.
Vikram Mastal, a well-known figure in the entertainment industry, earned acclaim for his portrayal of the revered Lord Hanuman in Anand Sagar’s rendition of the epic Ramayan. The television series, which featured Gurmeet Choudhary as Lord Ram and Debina Bonnerjee as Goddess Sita, holds a special place in the hearts of viewers. In July this year, Mastal joined the Congress party, and his induction was attended by former chief minister Kamal Nath.
Notably, Vikram Mastal has recently been in the spotlight for voicing his concerns regarding the depiction of Hanuman in the film Adipurush. He expressed his displeasure with the language used in the film, stating that it hurt the sentiments of the people and called for the removal of certain dialogues. His vocal stance on this issue demonstrates his commitment to cultural sensitivity and respect for religious beliefs.
In addition to his role in Ramayan, Vikram Mastal has ventured into other avenues of the entertainment industry, featuring in the movie “Top Gear” (2022) and web series such as “Battle of Saragarhi” (2017) and “Aashram” (2020). His transition from the small screen to the political arena is poised to bring a unique perspective to the electoral race.
The Congress’ list of candidates for the Madhya Pradesh assembly elections comprises a diverse array of individuals, including 47 candidates from the general category, 39 from OBC, 30 from ST, 22 from SC, one Muslim candidate, and 19 women. Notably, 65 of the candidates are under the age of 50, reflecting a mix of experienced leaders and emerging voices.
On the other side, the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) had already announced candidates for 136 assembly constituencies. Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan, a prominent figure in Madhya Pradesh politics, will be contesting from the Budhni seat, a constituency he has held as a stronghold for years. In the previous assembly elections, Chouhan secured victory with a substantial margin, defeating senior Congress leader Arun Yadav.
Madhya Pradesh is set to go to the polls on November 17 in a single-phase election, with the counting of votes scheduled for December 3. The election promises to be a closely watched and fiercely contested battle, with Vikram Mastal’s entry into politics adding an interesting dimension to the electoral landscape.
Sources By Agencies
