BJP MP Kangana Ranaut Missing In Action Again: Mandi Floods Expose Her Disconnect With The People.

As devastating floods wreak havoc across Himachal Pradesh's Mandi district, film actor-turned-MP Kangana Ranaut’s conspicuous absence from her Lok Sabha constituency has reignited criticism about her commitment to the people who voted her to power. This is not the first time she has chosen such methodology and distance over action — and the electorate is taking note.

After facing a barrage of criticism on social media and sharp attacks from the Congress for her conspicuous absence during the natural disaster in her Mandi Lok Sabha constituency, BJP MP Kangana Ranaut finally arrived in Mandi town and visited flood hit areas in the district. Her delayed visit has sparked a fresh political controversy, with angry constituents and critics questioning her prolonged silence and detachment at a time when flood-affected residents were in desperate need of their elected representative's support. Though she toured some of the flood-ravaged areas, the damage to her public image may already have been done, as murmurs of discontent grow louder among voters demanding to know why she remained missing in action during the crisis.

Kangana Sparks Row with Casual Remark in Flood-Hit Mandi.  

BJP MP and actor Kangana Ranaut triggered a major political row with her remarks during a visit to flood-ravaged areas of Himachal Pradesh’s Mandi district. Speaking to the media in an unusually casual tone amid scenes of widespread devastation, Ranaut said she neither has Cabinet nor funds for disaster relief. Despite this, she claimed she was making efforts to secure central assistance for the state.

Kangana said that while she had some role in policymaking, her influence was minimal at the state level and almost negligible at the panchayat level. Attempting to defend her limited authority, she shifted the blame squarely onto the Congress-led state government, accusing it of hiding from the public, evading responsibility, and engaging in corruption. She added that any central funds meant for disaster relief would ultimately go to the state administration—not to her or even to former Chief Minister Jairam Thakur.

Her comments came under sharp scrutiny, particularly as families in Mandi continue to reel from the aftermath of deadly cloudbursts that destroyed homes, claimed lives, and left many with nothing. Her statement was widely perceived as dismissive and indifferent to the gravity of the crisis.

Congress Lambasts Kangana for Laughing Amid Mandi Flood Crisis;

The Congress launched a scathing attack on Kangana Ranaut by posting a video clip of her remarks on X, calling them outright "insensitive" and shocking. The party noted that while Mandi was reeling from the devastation caused by a massive cloudburst—homes destroyed, lives lost, and families shattered—the local MP arrived only after several days and, laughing, said, “What can I do? I don’t have a Cabinet and only two brothers (senior party leaders) are with me.” The Congress said her reaction reflected a complete lack of empathy, adding, “When people are mourning their losses and struggling to rebuild their lives, Kangana ji chose to laugh and shrug off responsibility. This isn’t just poor leadership—it’s sheer insensitivity. This is not a film scene, it's a humanitarian crisis. Please show some seriousness and compassion.”

Sukhu Takes Stock from the Skies as Deluge Devastates Himachal;

Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister, Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu undertook an aerial reconnaissance of the flood-ravaged districts of Mandi, Kullu, and parts of Kangra. With relentless rains and multiple cloudbursts pounding the region over the last 48 hours, major rivers—including the Beas—are flowing perilously above danger levels.  During the survey, Sukhu assessed the widespread destruction and monitored the ongoing relief and rescue operations coordinated by state agencies and central forces. The calamity has crippled connectivity, with more than 170 roads still blocked in Mandi district alone. Preliminary estimates place the total damage across the state at a staggering ₹750 crore.

When Disaster Strikes, Their MP Is Missing?

Imagine a grim scenario: Siraj and other areas in Mandi are devastated , bridges washed away, villagers stranded, homes destroyed — and their newly-elected Member of Parliament is nowhere to be seen. In 2023, a similar tragedy saw Kangana Ranaut dodging flood-affected regions. Now in 2025, history is repeating itself.

Even more bizarre is her reasoning — she allegedly blames former BJP Chief Minister and now Leader of Opposition, Jai Ram Thakur for advising her to stay away until road connectivity is restored. He had castigated that if someone with this excuse has left both victims and the larger electorate baffled then he can do nothing.  

Jai Ram Thakur on Ground, Kangana Waited for clearance of administration to visit flood hit areas.

Jai Ram Thakur, incidentally, has been visibly active — touring affected villages, meeting officials and engaging with victims alongside Chief Minister, Sukhu and Deputy CM, Agnihotri. Meanwhile, Kangana Ranaut continued to wait, allegedly for an administrative "green signal”. Is she the Prime Minister being debriefed by security agencies — or an MP who should be on the ground without prompting? At a press conference in Mandi, Jai Ram Thakur was asked about Kangana Ranaut’s conspicuous silence and absence amid the disaster. Choosing his words carefully, he remarked, “I prefer not to comment on those who lack public empathy. Our focus remains on supporting those devastated by the rains — we must share both their suffering and resilience.” As a face saving device, Jai Ram Thakur clarified that he was misquoted though truth remains which was reported in media.

The people of Mandi — who placed immense faith in her during the 2024 parliamentary elections — are now left disillusioned, some even regretting their support for a representative who prefers virtual optics to physical outreach in the face of calamity. 

Earlier controversies. Remarks on the Dalai Lama:

Dalai Lama’s birthday is being celebrated worldwide by his followers but film actor did not spare him also.A previous tweet by Ranaut featuring a meme about the Dalai Lama led to protests in the Lahaul and Spiti district. During a campaign rally in May 2024, she was shown black flags by local residents and Congress workers, reflecting the lingering resentment over her earlier comments.

Repeat of 2023: When Optics Trumped Action

This isn’t an isolated case of indifference. In 2023, during another catastrophic monsoon, Kangana Ranaut remained similarly aloof. Her absence sparked public outrage back then as well. It appears her understanding of political responsibility ends at celebrity appeal and headline-hunting social media posts. The victims of Mandi haven’t forgotten — and neither has the opposition.

Self-Goals in the past: Kangana’s Habit of Embarrassing BJP Leadership;

Comments on Farmers’ Protests: In August 2024, Ranaut suggested that during the farmers' protests against the now-repealed farm laws, "bodies were hanging and rapes were taking place," and implied that a "Bangladesh-like situation" could have arisen without strong leadership. These remarks were met with widespread condemnation. Congress party had labelled the outburst as an insult to farmers nationwide. The BJP officially distanced itself from her comments, emphasizing that Ranaut was neither permitted nor authorized to speak on the party's policy matters.  Allegations against Himachal Pradesh Government: Ranaut had accused the Congress-led Himachal Pradesh government of corruption, claiming that state loans were being misused and directed to former Congress president Sonia Gandhi. These allegations intensified political tensions, with Congress leaders criticizing her for making baseless accusations. Critique of Congress Government: In April 2025, Ranaut likened the Congress-led Himachal Pradesh government to "bhediyas" (wolves), accusing them of inefficiency and corruption. She criticized local authorities for focusing on trivial issues, like probing 'samosas', and called it embarrassing. 

Adding fuel to fire is Kangana’s earlier diplomatic faux pas involving none other than BJP’s national president ,J.P. Nadda. In a now-deleted tweet, Kangana claimed that Nadda personally advised her to delete a controversial post about former U.S. President Donald Trump. The fallout has been severe — not just for her public image but also for Nadda, a senior leader from Himachal, now caught in an avoidable crossfire. The embarrassment for Nadda was twofold — not only has a first-time MP dragged his name into a controversy over a foreign leader, but she also put him in a politically awkward position, seemingly turning a party issue into a personal PR crisis.

Impact on BJP:

Ranaut's statements have placed the BJP in a challenging position, especially in Himachal Pradesh. The party's need to publicly distance itself from her remarks indicates internal discord and the potential alienation of key voter groups, such as farmers and local communities. These controversies have provided opposition parties with ammunition to question the BJP's stance and leadership, potentially affecting the party's image and electoral prospects in the region. Kangana Ranaut's controversial remarks have not only sparked public outcry but have also led to significant political challenges for the BJP in Himachal Pradesh, necessitating damage control and strategic distancing by the party.

The Trump Tweet That Crossed the Line;

In her trademark style blending bravado with misplaced nationalism, Kangana tweeted about Donald Trump allegedly asking Apple CEO Tim Cook not to expand manufacturing in India. She questioned, “Why this sudden love loss?” and then offered three absurd reasons — the most provocative being that while Trump may be an alpha male, India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi is “sab alpha male ka baap” (the father of all alphas).

While her intent might have been to project hyper-nationalist loyalty, it boomeranged — raising eyebrows internationally and drawing sharp criticism back home. In Himachal, especially in her own Mandi constituency, voters feel let down. Instead of amplifying Himachal’s voice on the national stage, she has brought it unwarranted embarrassment.

Nadda’s Dilemma and BJP’s Image Crisis in Himachal

The BJP’s high command is reportedly concerned over the unpredictable behaviour of its star MP. For Nadda, the dilemma is acute: How does he defend an MP who drags the party into unnecessary controversies, often without consultation, and offers no grassroots connection with her electorate?

Party insiders privately admit that while Kangana’s win gave BJP star power, it now risks becoming a liability — especially in a sensitive state like Himachal, which takes pride in dignified political conduct.

Public Sentiment: Star Power Fading Fast

What seemed like a strategic masterstroke — fielding a national icon to win a prized seat — is fast turning into a miscalculation. Voters in Mandi feel betrayed. They expected a bold, proactive leader, not a digital warrior who tweets from afar while they struggle for survival on the ground.

The gap between her rhetoric and action is widening. Her indifference during crises, repeated gaffes, and habit of embarrassing her own party leaders are eroding the goodwill she once commanded.

A Wake-Up Call for the BJP?

Kangana Ranaut’s absence in the face of disaster, her poor political instincts, and her knack for controversy are not just a personal issue — they reflect on the party that gave her the ticket. BJP must now ask itself a difficult question: Can it afford to carry the baggage of a celebrity politician who refuses to transition into a responsible public servant?

The floods may recede, but the memory of neglect will linger in the minds of voters. Mandi’s wounds are not just from swollen rivers and broken bridges — they are from broken promises and vanished leadership.

(Writer is senior political analyst and strategic affairs columnist based in Shimla)

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