The devastating cloudburst in Himachal Pradesh's Mandi district has affected many people and disrupted lives. Meanwhile, questions are being raised about the silence of local MP Kangana Ranaut.
Kangana Ranaut: Even on the third day after the cloudburst wreaked havoc in Mandi, Himachal Pradesh, the silence of MP and Bollywood actress Kangana Ranaut has become a topic of discussion. While hundreds of people have been rendered homeless and thousands of lives have been disrupted by the disaster, the fact that MP Kangana Ranaut has neither visited the site nor expressed any sympathy on social media is surprising everyone.
Many houses were destroyed in the Mandi disaster, apple orchards were washed away, and debris accumulated in villages. But the MP Kangana Ranaut's failure to make any statement or offer any help has now become a cause for political debate.
Jayaram Thakur also maintained silence
When the media questioned the Leader of the Opposition in Himachal Pradesh and former Chief Minister Jayaram Thakur about why MP Kangana Ranaut hadn't responded, he also made a significant statement. Jayaram Thakur said, "I don't want to comment on this. We don't know why she did this, but we stand with the people of Mandi in their time of need."
“I don't want to say anything about those who are not concerned about it." After Jayaram Thakur's statement, the Congress immediately attacked the BJP and Kangana.
Congress's attack - 'This isn't us, Jayaram Thakur is saying it'
The Congress, sharing a video of Jayaram Thakur from its official X (Twitter) account, wrote, "MP Kangana Ranaut is not concerned about the people of Mandi, we are not saying this, but former Chief Minister of Himachal Pradesh and BJP leader Jayaram Thakur is saying it." The Congress further taunted, "Hundreds of people are in crisis in Mandi, but MP Kangana Ranaut is missing. No visit, no help, no sympathy. Why?"
Reacted to PM's foreign visit, why silence on Mandi?
Interestingly, at the time when people in Mandi were buried under the debris, MP Kangana Ranaut posted on social media about Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to Ghana, but did not say a word about the tragedy in her parliamentary constituency. This has led to criticism on social media. One user wrote, "You are an MP, you don't just come to win elections. Your people are looking for you in times of crisis."
The pain of the people in the affected villages of Mandi is evident. Many villagers told local media, "We hoped that our MP would come and see what condition we are in. But no one came." Some people say that local MLAs and leaders are constantly visiting, but the absence of the MP is deeply hurting them.
Will Kangana's image be affected?
Political analysts believe that although Kangana Ranaut has made a special identity in Bollywood with her frankness, her responsibility as a public representative is different. The people of Mandi elected her with a huge majority during the elections, and in such a situation, this kind of silence during the disaster can raise questions about her political career.
Whispers have also started within the BJP regarding this issue. Many leaders are saying in private conversations that the MP should have gone among the public and at least assessed the situation. The Congress has made it clear that if Kangana Ranaut does not become active soon, it will raise this issue in both the Assembly and the Lok Sabha. Because the pain of the Mandi disaster is deep and people are expecting sympathy from their public representative.
