New Delhi, Jan 25 (IANS) His striking resemblance to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, augmented by a close-cropped grey beard, rimless spectacles and a trademark half-sleeved kurta and Nehru jacket, leaves many Delhiites bewildered as whenever he ventures out a crowd gathers around him requesting for autographs and selfies - while some are left wondering.
Fifty-two-year-old Abhinandan Pathak, or as he likes to call himself, Nandan Modi, is a staunch 'bhakt' (devotee) of Modi and claims to be campaigning for him and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in all the 70 seats ahead of the Feb 7 Delhi assembly polls.
And since Modi is preoccupied with US President Barack Obama's visit, Pathak feels his job has become more important. Obama who is on a three-day visit to India, beginning Sunday, will be the chief guest at the Republic Day parade on Jan 26.
"I see Modiji as my 'Rama' and I am his 'Lakshman' (Lord Rama's younger brother). I have come here to support Modiji in his battle against AAP (Aam Aadmi Party) in Delhi," Pathak, who not only speaks just like Modi but also emulates his gestures and body language, told IANS.
"Modiji is busy with Obama and currently not able to interact with the people of Delhi. So, my job is to fill in for him," he added.
A resident of Saharanpur in Uttar Pradesh, Pathak is a physical education teacher and claims to have cycled all the way from his hometown to Delhi - a distance of over 170 km - due to his devotion to Modi.
"I arrived here a week back and I am covering all the 70 seats in Delhi one by one on my cycle. I inform the people about the work done by Modiji as the country's PM and 90 percent of the people that I have met agree that the BJP is the party to vote for in Delhi," Pathak said.
Attacking the AAP's Arvind Kejriwal who is the Bharatiya Janata Party's main opponent in Delhi, Pathak has vowed to "expose" Kejriwal.
"He is a liar who is misleading the voters of Delhi. I will expose him," he added.
Speaking about people's reaction when they see him, Pathak said: "I immediately get surrounded by a crowd wherever I go. They ask for my autographs and selfies."
Pathak, apart from being a teacher is also a politician and had founded the Manavtawadi Party in 2012, which he later merged into the BJP in 2013.
Though, he boasts of a keen understanding of politics and the electorate, it's his uncanny resemblance to Modi that he thinks helps him in convincing the people to vote for the BJP.
"My appearance is definitely my biggest USP," he maintained.
However, Pathak takes strong objection when someone calls him a "duplicate Modi".
"It hurts me when someone says that I am a duplicate Modi. I would be happy if they just call me Nandan Modi as even my family calls me that," Pathak, a father of three, said with a smile.
Pathak had campaigned for Modi ahead of the April-May 2014 general election in Varanasi, Vadodara and Delhi and this is his second visit to the national capital.
Apart from Pathak, there are at least three more Modi lookalikes - Nalin Joshi from Junagadh, Vikas Mahante from Mumbai and Jitendra Vyas from Vadodara - who have campaigned for Modi and the BJP in different elections.
Paris Olympics 2024: Stars rejoiced on Neeraj Chopra's victory, from Malaika Arora to Vicky Kaushal congratulated him
So far, India has won many medals in Paris Olympics 2024. Now the silver medal has also been added to it, which Neeraj Chopra has won in javelin throw. Everyone is overjoyed at his victory. After this
Countdown of lockdown starts, country will gallop from green zone
In the first phase of lockdown, where PM Modi gave the mantra of 'Jaan hai to jahan hai', in the second phase 'jaan bhi jahan too'. During the second phase itself, it was permitted to open
Swine flu claims two lives in Hyderabad
Hyderabad, Jan 22 (IANS) Swine flu has claimed two more lives in Hyderabad while a central health team arrived Thursday to take stock of the situation, an official said.Two women, aged 55 and 56,
INDW vs AUSW: Indian women's team got a big setback, Harmanpreet will not play in the second ODI against Australia
The three-match ODI series between India and the Australian women's team is underway. The team led by Mithali Raj is trailing 0-1 in the series after losing the first match. Now the second ODI between
Amway's Madurai Plant to be Operational by 2015-end
Kolkata, Feb 10 (IANS) Direct-selling FMCG-company Amway India said its upcoming plant in Tamil Nadu will become operational by the end of 2015, a company official said Tuesday.The company also
Wearing the Indian Jersey a huge Motivation: Rohit Sharma
Adelaide, Feb 7 (IANS) Having missed the 2011 edition of the World Cup, India’s right-handed batsman Rohit Sharma Saturday sounded motivated and confident ahead of a warm-up clash against the
Russia and Ukraine Conflict Explained: The gas-oil supply and the pipeline on which is stuck the eyes of the whole of Europe-Russia
Tensions have been brewing between Russia and Ukraine for the past two months. About one lakh 30 thousand soldiers of the Russian army are constantly engaged in maneuvers on the border with Ukraine.
Tariff for using over 20,000 litres water hiked by 10 percent
New Delhi, March 19 (IANS) The AAP government in Delhi on Thursday hiked the water tariff by 10 percent a month for those households consuming more than the free supply of 20,000 litres per
IND vs PAK: After Haris Rauf's controversial gesture, his wife's offensive post sparks uproar on social media, watch
India defeated Pakistan by six wickets in the Asia Cup 2025 Super 4 match between Pakistan and India. This was Pakistan's second defeat against India in the tournament. However, despite the
Lockdown in Karnataka: Corona curfew implemented in Karnataka for next two weeks, strict restrictions will be implemented in the state
A two-week corona curfew has been imposed in Karnataka amid growing cases of the corona. During this time only necessary services will be exempt. Giving this information, Karnataka Chief Minister BS
