In a surprising turn of events, Vikram Mastal Sharma, widely recognized for his portrayal of Lord Hanuman in the renowned TV series ‘Ramayana’ back in 2008, has emerged as the Congress party’s contender against the incumbent Chief Minister, Shivraj Singh Chouhan, in the upcoming Budhni assembly elections.
Vikram, who originates from the very heart of Chouhan’s political constituency, made a momentous entry into politics by officially joining the Congress party in July 2023. This significant political move was made at a sacred Hanuman temple in Chhindwara, which was originally erected by the state party chief, Kamal Nath.
Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan, a prominent political figure, has consecutively secured victory in five assembly elections from his home turf. However, as he gears up for yet another electoral battle on his home ground, Chouhan faces a twofold challenge – one stemming from the growing tide of anti-incumbency and the other resulting from internal strife within the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).
Vikram Mastal Sharma’s entry into the Congress camp signifies a new and intriguing development in the political landscape of Madhya Pradesh. His popularity as Lord Hanuman, a revered deity in Indian culture, coupled with his local roots in Chouhan’s constituency, is expected to bring a fresh perspective to the election dynamics in the Budhni assembly seat.
With election fervor rising and campaigns intensifying, all eyes are now on this unlikely face-off between a former on-screen deity and a seasoned political incumbent in a crucial electoral battleground. The Budhni assembly seat promises to be a battleground where the dynamics of faith, celebrity, and politics will intersect in the upcoming state elections.