Actor-turned-MP Kangana Ranaut is getting heavily criticised for her comments during a visit to flood-hit areas in Mandi district, Himachal Pradesh. While speaking to the media on Sunday, Ranaut said she had no cabinet or relief funds to help with the disaster, which led to strong reactions from the ruling Congress party.
“Whether it’s disaster relief or the disaster itself – I don’t have any official cabinet. I have my two brothers who are always with me. That’s my cabinet. So, it’s just these two,” she said.
Smiling during the interaction, Ranaut said that MPs mainly work inside Parliament and their role in relief efforts is limited. “I do not have any funds for disaster relief or hold any Cabinet post. MPs have work that is limited to Parliament. We are very small in the scheme of things,” she said.
She also mentioned that MPs serve as a connection between the state and central governments, helping to bring in central projects and raise local issues in Parliament.
Ranaut’s remarks didn’t sit well with the Congress party, which accused her of being “insensitive”. They said her statements were inappropriate and seemed to make light of the suffering of flood victims.
Slamming Kangana, the official handle of the Congress party shared her video with the caption – “हिमाचल प्रदेश के मंडी में बादल फटने से भारी तबाही हुई है. लोग परेशान हैं, उनका सब कुछ उजड़ गया है. मंडी की सांसद कंगना कई दिन बाद वहां पहुंचीं और हंसते हुए कहा- ‘मैं क्या कर सकती हूं, मेरे पास कैबिनेट तो है नहीं’ कुछ तो संवेदना दिखाइए कंगना जी (Meaning: There has been massive destruction in Himachal Pradesh’s Mandi due to a cloudburst. People are suffering; they have lost everything. Mandi MP Kangana reached the area after several days and, laughing, said – “What can I do? I don’t have a Cabinet.” At least show some compassion, Kangana ji.)”
Congress spokesperson Supriya Shrinate also slammed Kangana for her behaviour during her visit to flood-affected Mandi. She said Kangana’s actions were insensitive and showed a lack of understanding of the serious situation on the ground.
Shrinate pointed out that even BJP leader Jairam Thakur appeared shocked by Kangana’s response. “Kangana ji’s insensitivity has even left BJP’s Jairam Thakur stunned,” she said in a post on X. She noted that Mandi, which faced huge destruction due to a cloudburst, had suffered greatly, with many people losing everything.
Yet, when Kangana, who represents Mandi in Parliament, finally visited the area after the disaster, she chose to make sarcastic and mocking comments and even laughed, which Shrinate said was completely inappropriate given the pain people were going through.
Kangana’s visit comes shortly after Congress had raised questions on her absence from Mandi.
Disaster-hit Mandi: Rains continue to wreak havoc
Deputy Chief Minister of Himachal Pradesh, Mukesh Agnihotri, shared an update on the situation in Mandi on Sunday, saying that around 72 persons had died so far and that Mandi has become the worst-hit areas in Himachal.
According to the State Emergency Operation Centre, several areas in Himachal Pradesh continue to struggle. In the past 48 hours alone, 269 roads have been blocked, 285 power transformers have stopped working, and 278 water supply systems have been disrupted.