Rajasthan CM Bhajan Lal Sharma calls PM Modi his 'favourite actor', Opposition pounces

Rajasthan Chief Minister Bhajan Lal Sharma

Rajasthan Chief Minister Bhajan Lal Sharma’s recent remark naming Prime Minister Narendra Modi as his “favourite actor” has ignited a political firestorm, with Opposition parties seizing the moment to mock both the PM and the BJP. The comment, made during a light-hearted exchange with journalists at the International Indian Film Academy (IIFA) Awards in Jaipur on Sunday night, has drawn sharp reactions and counterclaims.

According to The Indian Express, Sharma was asked about his favourite actor during the interaction. Smiling, he replied, “Narendra Modi ji.” The response quickly became fodder for Opposition leaders. Rajasthan Congress President Govind Singh Dotasra took to X, stating, “We’ve long said Modi ji isn’t a leader but an actor. Now, even BJP Chief Ministers are admitting—albeit late—that he’s not a public leader but a master of camera skills, teleprompters, costumes, and grand speeches.”

Congress leader Pawan Khera, tagging Sharma, said on X: “You’re spot on, Bhajan Lal ji. PM Modi is a fine actor. But don’t you think his over-acting is getting a bit much lately?” The Aam Aadmi Party joined the fray via its official X handle, sharing a video of the exchange and writing, “BJP Chief Ministers and leaders themselves believe no one outshines Prime Minister Narendra Modi as the country’s greatest actor—past, present, or future.”

BJP spokesperson Laxmikant Bhardwaj, however, pushed back, clarifying that the question posed to Sharma was about his “favourite hero,” not actor. As quoted by The Indian Express, he accused the Congress of distortion, saying, “Congressmen, forever bowing to one family, are clinging to their legacy of lies and deceit, desperately crafting fake narratives by editing videos.”