BJP MP Kangana Ranaut Faces Public Backlash Over Delayed Response to Mandi Flood Crisis

Mandi: As torrential rains and cloudbursts continue to devastate Himachal Pradesh’s Mandi district, first-time MP and actor-turned-politician Kangana Ranaut is facing growing public outrage and political fire for her absence during the initial days of the disaster. Critics argue that her delayed visit and indifferent remarks have deepened the disconnect between her public persona and her responsibilities as a lawmaker.

Ranaut, who finally arrived in Mandi over the weekend, came under fire for arriving late, only after mounting criticism on social media and biting attacks from the Congress and local residents. Her brief tour of affected areas did little to quell the controversy, with many questioning her sincerity and leadership.

Adding to the backlash was her casual approach while addressing the media, where she cited a lack of Cabinet position and funds as the reason for her limited ability to intervene. While she blamed the Congress-led state government for corruption and administrative failure, her remarks were viewed as evasive and dismissive, especially given the scale of the humanitarian crisis unfolding in her constituency.

With more than 170 roads blocked, homes swept away, and lives lost across the district, residents expected their elected representative to be present on the ground, not relying on press briefings and social media optics. Even more puzzling to many was her suggestion that former Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur advised her to stay away until roads were cleared — a claim that neither helped her image nor shifted public sentiment in her favor.

In stark contrast, Jai Ram Thakur, now the Leader of Opposition, has been actively visiting affected areas alongside Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu and Deputy CM Mukesh Agnihotri. Despite their political differences, they have prioritized coordination in relief efforts. When asked about Ranaut’s absence, Thakur simply stated he wouldn’t comment on individuals who fail to understand public responsibility — though later clarified that his remarks were misinterpreted.

Ranaut’s image has also been bruised by a series of previous controversies that have resurfaced in public discourse. Her remarks about the Dalai Lama, farmers’ protests, and accusations of corruption against the Himachal Congress government have all stirred political storms. Earlier in 2024, she even dragged BJP national president J.P. Nadda into a diplomatic misstep over a deleted post on Donald Trump — a move that raised eyebrows within her own party.

Her political style — more rooted in dramatic commentary than grounded action — is now under sharper scrutiny. While her celebrity status helped secure her Lok Sabha seat, critics argue that she has yet to prove her credibility as a serious public representative.

In 2023, during another wave of monsoon devastation, Ranaut had remained conspicuously absent — a pattern now repeating in 2025. Local voices in Mandi express regret and frustration, with many asking whether electing a celebrity without administrative experience was a misstep. As one resident put it, “Our villages are drowning — we need a leader, not a performer.”