Mandi: Actor-turned-politician and BJP MP Kangana Ranaut has come under fire for her remarks during her visit to flood-affected areas in Himachal Pradesh’s Mandi district. Ranaut, who visited her parliamentary constituency to inspect ongoing relief and rescue operations, joked with reporters that she had no official cabinet rank or funds to provide disaster relief.
“Be it disaster relief or disaster itself, I don’t have any official cabinet rank. I have two brothers who are always with me. These are my cabinet,” Ranaut said, adding that MPs have a limited role and must work within that ambit.
She, however, assured that the central government would provide assistance to affected people and highlighted the rescue operations being carried out by BJP leaders and government teams.
The Congress criticised Ranaut’s comments, terming them “insensitive” and accusing her of making light of the suffering of people in Mandi following the cloudburst disaster.
Congress spokesperson Supriya Shrinate slammed the BJP MP, stating it was unfair to joke about the lack of official power while people were in distress.
Earlier, Ranaut’s absence from her constituency amid the devastation caused by heavy rains had triggered political debate. She later clarified that former Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur had advised her not to visit the area until road connectivity was restored.
