‘Kangana Ranaut Does Not Care’: Mandi MP Faces Flak From Both BJP, Congress Over Silence On Monsoon Havoc
Former Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister and BJP leader Jairam Thakur’s recent remarks on Mandi MP Kangana Ranaut’s silence amid the ongoing monsoon devastation have caught the Congress party’s attention. Sharing a video of Thakur’s statement on X, the Congress wrote, “MP Kangana Ranaut does not care about the people of Mandi.” They added, “These are not our words, but those of former Himachal Chief Minister and BJP leader Jairam Thakur.”
The controversy erupted after Jairam Thakur, responding to a question on why Kangana had not commented on the situation in Mandi while she posted about Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Ghana visit, said, “I do not know, and I do not wish to comment on it. We are here to live and die for those who care; I do not wish to comment on those who do not care.”
The remarks came as Jairam Thakur inspected Kukla Gram Panchayat in Seraj constituency on Wednesday, where heavy rains and a cloudburst had washed away several houses and roads. Speaking to ANI, he confirmed speaking to Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu about urgent restoration of connectivity, electricity, and water supply, stating, “Due to the rain, a lot of damage has been caused, especially in my assembly constituency Seraj, and significant damage has occurred in the Nachan assembly constituency. I am going to my assembly constituency… Around 30 people are missing, and eight bodies have been recovered. I have spoken to officials to restore the roads that are closed, and the water and electricity supply that has been affected. I have also spoken to the Chief Minister.”
The State Emergency Operation Centre (SEOC), under the Revenue Department, reported 51 deaths in Himachal across 12 districts from June 20 to July 1 due to incidents like flash floods, drowning, landslides, lightning, and road accidents.
13 Dead In Mandi As Extensive Damage Reported Across Himachal
As per PTI, the death toll in Mandi rose to 13 on Thursday after two more bodies were found, with 29 people still missing. On Tuesday, Mandi district experienced ten cloudbursts, three flash floods, and a landslide. Over 150 houses, 104 cattle sheds, 31 vehicles, 14 bridges, and numerous roads suffered damage, while 162 cattle perished. More than 370 people were rescued, and five relief camps set up. Authorities noted that 261 roads, including 186 in Mandi, remained blocked, with 599 transformers and 797 water supply schemes disrupted. The Manali-Keylong road was closed after flooding near Solang Nallah, forcing traffic diversion via Rohtang Pass.
The India Meteorological Department has issued an orange alert, warning of heavy to very heavy rain from July 5 to 9 and a moderate flash flood risk in parts of Kangra, Mandi, Hamirpur, Shimla, Solan, and Sirmaur districts within 24 hours.
Vikramaditya Singh, Kangana’s War Of Words On Being ‘Missing’ From Mandi
In April, Himachal Pradesh Public Works Minister Vikramaditya Singh criticised Kangana for allegedly being ‘missing’ from Mandi, saying, “Since she was elected as an MP, she has been seen in Himachal only twice. Once when she opened her private restaurant in Manali, and then another time in a meeting. Apart from this, people of Mandi have not seen Kangana”, Hindustan Times reported.
Responding sharply, Kangana said, “I am focused on my work and not here to make propaganda out the works I do. My working style is transparent.” She insisted she had not missed any Parliament session, adding, “Vikramaditya would not know this… Vikramaditya’s family have broken the trust of people.” She also maintained she had been distributing MPLAD funds in her constituency. Meanwhile, Vikramaditya, who lost to Kangana in the 2024 Lok Sabha polls, asserted her ‘absence’ had caused delays in development works.
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