9 dead in Mandi cloudburst, but MP Kangana Ranaut or ruling Congress leaders yet to visit remote area
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Local BJP MLA Puran Chand Thakur treks 6 km on foot to reach site
MANDI: Despite the severity of the Rajban cloudburst disaster in Mandi district of Himachal Pradesh, no top leader from both the ruling and opposition parties, as well as the MP, have yet visited the affected area or provide any relief.
The Rajban area in the Drang Assembly constituency of Mandi district has been grappling with the aftermath of the cloudburst that struck at midnight on July 31. The disaster claimed nine lives, left one person missing and injured two others. Despite the administration’s continuous efforts over the past eight days, no prominent political leader has deemed it necessary to visit or offer support.
Leaders appear reluctant to make the 6 km journey to Rajban, with only local MLA Puran Chand Thakur and APMC Mandi Chairman Sanjeev Guleria making the effort. MP Kangana Ranaut, who had previously pledged support to Mandi residents during her election campaign, left for Delhi from Rampur without visiting the disaster site.
Opposition leader Jai Ram Thakur and former minister Kaul Singh Thakur, who was elected by the Drang constituency, have also not made the trip, with the latter citing his wife’s poor health as a reason.
Public Works Minister Vikramaditya Singh passed through Mandi without visiting Rajban, and district presidents of both the BJP and Congress have failed to offer any words of sympathy. The administration, however, has been working tirelessly, providing relief funds and support, but the lack of attention from higher officials has left many feeling neglected.
Local representatives and the administration have been actively supporting the affected individuals. BJP MLA Puran Chand Thakur, despite being unwell, visited Terang on foot, offering financial assistance of ₹5,000 to those in need. Congress leaders, however, have yet to acknowledge the situation or provide support.
The lack of response from state and national leaders during this crisis continues to disappoint the affected people, who await a more empathetic and supportive response from their elected representatives, said a resident.
