Himachal’s ‘Queen Of Controversies’: Kangana Ranaut’s Comments Trigger Political Firestorm

Kangana Ranaut, the BJP MP from Himachal Pradesh and a well-known film actress, has once again stirred controversy, this time causing embarrassment not only for the party but also for the people of Himachal. Her recent remarks about former U.S. President Donald Trump have sparked widespread condemnation across her home state, particularly among the voters of her own Lok Sabha constituency. These constituents, who entrusted her with the responsibility to elevate Himachal’s name on the national stage, feel deeply let down by statements that have instead brought disrepute.

The fallout has even put the BJP’s national president, J.P. Nadda—himself a well-entrenched leader of the hills—in a difficult position, as Kangana’s comments clash with the dignity and respect the state demands from its representatives. This episode raises urgent questions about Kangana’s priorities and the real impact of her public provocations on Himachal’s image and the party’s standing. Imagine the level of embarrassment for Nadda when quoted him saying that the national president has asked her to delete the remarks about Trump. She refuses to relent even as Nadda had summoned her twice during farmers’ stir as she had made offensive remarks about the farmers.

Minister Vikramaditya Singh’s Sarcastic Jibe

At this juncture, Himachal Pradesh Minister Vikramaditya Singh—a political opponent who is always quick to pounce upon Kangana’s outbursts and vice versa —seized an opportunity to take a jibe at her, further aggravating the BJP's predicament. In a sarcastic tone, the minister endorsed Kangana’s comments on Trump, referring to her as his "elder sister who tried to speak the truth but was silenced." With a touch of mockery, he quipped, “Hum unke param mitar hain Na” (I am her great friend).Singh has frequently taken jabs at Ranaut, labelling her as the "queen of controversies."

Kangana Ranaut, the Bollywood icon-turned-politician and MP from Mandi, Himachal Pradesh, has emerged as a double-edged sword for the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). While her star power and fiery oratory attracted media attention and youth support, her repeated public outbursts have now become a source of acute embarrassment and unease for both the central leadership and the Himachal Pradesh unit of the party.

BJP Leaders’ Dilemma

Some of the top BJP leaders in Shimla and Delhi, speaking on the condition of anonymity, confided to this writer that repeated attempts at informal counselling and behind-the-scenes persuasion have proven futile. Kangana Ranaut continues to cross the proverbial ‘Lakshmana Rekha’ with impunity, often disregarding the party’s code of public decorum and discipline. Her outbursts, they admit, have left the leadership red-faced on multiple occasions, especially when her remarks veer into foreign policy, national history, or internal politics—areas where uninformed or intemperate commentary carries wider consequences.

Secondly, these leaders acknowledge that initiating any disciplinary action against her—such as a public reprimand, a show-cause notice, or curtailing her party visibility—could backfire spectacularly. Kangana commands a vast following, not only as a Bollywood icon but also as a vocal champion of aggressive nationalism. Her core support base in Mandi and across Himachal Pradesh includes thousands of die-hard fans, BJP loyalists, and first-time voters who identify with her straight-talking, anti-establishment tone. Any move to side-line her could alienate these constituencies and damage the party’s appeal in a state where it is striving to retain relevance amid Congress resurgence.

Thirdly, her temperament adds a layer of complexity. Kangana is seen as headstrong and fiercely independent, with little patience for party hierarchy or traditional political moderation. Several leaders fear that a disciplinary move could provoke her into open defiance or even a political rebellion—something she is fully capable of, given her history of combative public engagements. Such a scenario would not only create an internal rift but also project the BJP as intolerant of high-profile individuals who refuse to conform.

Provocative Tweet: Hyper-Nationalism Meets Sarcasm

Kangana recently sparked yet another storm with a tweet that blended admiration, sarcasm, and nationalism. In a now-deleted post, she commented on a report suggesting that Donald Trump had asked Apple CEO Tim Cook not to expand manufacturing in India. “Why this sudden love loss?” she mused. Her tweet went on to suggest three provocative reasons: Trump may be an alpha male, but in her view, India’s Prime Minister, Narender Modi, was “sab alpha male ka baap” (the ultimate alpha). The post was a bold display of hyper-nationalism, framing the Indian PM as a figure towering even above Trump.

Minister Vikramaditya Singh’s Sarcastic Jibe

At this juncture, Himachal Pradesh Minister Vikramaditya Singh—who had unsuccessfully contested against Kangana Ranaut in the Mandi Lok Sabha seat—seized an opportunity to take a jibe at her, further aggravating the BJP's predicament. In a sarcastic tone, the minister endorsed Kangana’s comments on Trump, referring to her as his "elder sister who tried to speak the truth but was silenced." With a touch of mockery, he quipped, “Hum unke param mitar hain Na” (I am her great friend).Singh has frequently taken jabs at Ranaut, labelling her as the "queen of controversies."

Kangana Ranaut’s entry in politics brought star power to BJP, but her relentless outbursts on history, foreign policy, and dissent have unsettled the leadership. Managing her unpredictability is now a tightrope walk, as disciplinary action risks backlash, yet inaction threatens BJP’s image

Kangana Ranaut sparked yet another storm with a tweet that blended admiration, sarcasm, and nationalism. In a now-deleted post, she commented on a report suggesting that Donald Trump had asked Apple CEO Tim Cook not to expand manufacturing in India. With her trademark flair, Kangana questioned the reason behind Trump's apparent opposition, hinting at a clash of egos between global leaders.

“Why this sudden love loss?” she mused. Her tweet went on to suggest three provocative reasons: Trump may be an alpha male, but in her view, India’s Prime Minister was “sab alpha male ka baap” (the ultimate alpha). The post was a bold display of hyper-nationalism, framing the Indian PM as a figure towering even above Trump. The tweet further speculated on whether Trump’s resistance stemmed from “personal jealousy or diplomatic insecurity.”

But the post’s life was short-lived;

As social media erupted with reactions, Kangana swiftly took down the tweet. In a follow-up message, she revealed that BJP National President, J.P. Nadda had personally asked her to delete the post. With a tone of compliance mixed with subtle regret, she explained, “Respected national president Shri @JPNadda ji called and asked me to delete the tweet… I regret posting that very personal opinion of mine, as per instructions I immediately deleted it. ”In a matter of hours, the fiery rhetoric gave way to a carefully worded apology, underscoring the thin line Kangana walks between free expression and party discipline. Kangana Ranaut, the BJP MP from Mandi, Himachal Pradesh, has been at the center of several controversies due to her outspoken remarks, leading to significant political repercussions for the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in the state.

Controversial Remarks and Political Fallout

1st, 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.

2nd, Allegations against Himachal Pradesh Government: Ranaut 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.

Remarks on the Dalai Lama: 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.

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.

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.

A Relentless Fighter

Kangana Ranaut has built a career not just on her cinematic talent but also on an unyielding penchant for controversy. In November 2021, she ignited outrage by dismissing India’s hard-won independence in 1947 as mere “bheek” (alms), asserting that true freedom came only in 2014 with Narendra Modi’s rise. Swift condemnation followed, but Kangana remained defiant, embodying her signature bravado.

Twitter proved another battleground. Known for her incendiary tweets, she courted one feud after another until May 2021, when her account was permanently suspended for hate speech and misinformation. Her last straw was a post about the West Bengal elections, deemed a call for violence. Her verbal clash with BJP MP Varun Gandhi after her “bheek” remark highlighted her combative spirit. Gandhi questioned her patriotism; Kangana dismissed him as seeking attention. Not one to retreat, she turned a spat into a spectacle. Her clash with the Shiv Sena in 2020 became a full-blown political drama. After likening Mumbai to Pakistan-occupied Kashmir, she faced fierce backlash, especially from Shiv Sena’s Sanjay Raut. When the BMC demolished parts of her office, she accused the Maharashtra government of vendetta, aligning herself with the BJP and intensifying the storm. The 2020-21 farmer protests saw Kangana label protesting farmers as “terrorists,” triggering outrage. Her online clash with Punjabi singer-actor Diljit Dosanjh became a viral spectacle. Twitter even suspended her temporarily for violating platform policies.

Unyielding, audacious, and unapologetically provocative, Kangana Ranaut thrives amid the chaos she often creates, a relentless force polarizing Indian society.

(Writer is senior political analyst and strategic affairs columnist)

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