Kangana Ranaut, Vikramaditya Singh engage in no-holds-barred war of words
MANDI: What began as routine political criticism has now exploded into a full-blown verbal war between two of Himachal Pradesh’s most high-profile figures — Bollywood actor-turned-BJP MP Kangana Ranaut and Congress leader and state’s Public Works Minister Vikramaditya Singh.
From sharp digs to sarcastic taunts, the political discourse between the two leaders has taken an increasingly personal and theatrical turn, grabbing headlines across the state.
The fight rooted in the aftermath of the 2024 Lok Sabha election where Kangana defeated Vikramaditya by over 70,000 votes from the Mandi constituency refuses to die down. Instead, it’s getting uglier by the day, with both sides sharpening their tongues and upping the ante.
I’m Not Mr India!: Kangana’s theatrical retort
Addressing a rally in Mandi’s Balh Assembly segment, Kangana lashed out at Vikramaditya’s repeated claims that she had been “missing” from her constituency.
With a touch of Bollywood drama, she declared, “I’m not Mr. India who turns invisible. I go to Parliament every day — the whole country can see me. Only Raja Babu can’t.”
Her reference to the 1987 Bollywood classic starring Anil Kapoor drew laughter from the crowd, but also made it clear that the actress-turned-politician was in no mood to play coy.
“Vikramaditya is still in shock after his crushing defeat. That’s why he’s ranting every day to the press. He’s misleading the people just to stay relevant,” she added.
She’s missing in action: Vikramaditya’s counterattack
Vikramaditya Singh, son of six-term former Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh and Congress state president Pratibha Singh, hasn’t held back either.
Accusing Kangana of “abandoning her parliamentary duties,” he said she has only visited Mandi twice since being elected — once to inaugurate her restaurant in Manali and once for a meeting.
“She couldn’t even find time to attend the DISHA meeting, which she, as the local MP, is supposed to chair. People of Himachal must ask what development she has pushed forward. Let her submit in writing how many issues she’s raised for Himachal in Parliament,” he said.
In a cheeky Facebook post, Vikramaditya even referred to Kangana as “Mohtarma”, pointing out that she was misleading people by calling a three-month pending electricity bill of ₹1 lakh a “monthly bill.” The dig was aimed at a recent speech where Kangana slammed the government over “hefty bills.”
Politics or personal grudge?
The war of words has quickly devolved from political critique to personal jibes.
Kangana accused Vikramaditya of “hurling daily abuses” at her and warned, “Don’t sling so much mud that you lose your own dignity. Even rivalry in politics should have limits.”
She accused the Singh family of “ruling Mandi for 40 years without real development,” calling their political legacy “hollow.”
She didn’t stop there. Referring to Vikramaditya as “Raja Babu”, she claimed, “He sits in Shimla giving press statements every day, unable to recover from the public slap of defeat.”
Even Congress leader Rahul Gandhi wasn’t spared. Kangana labeled him “Sonia ka Laal”, accusing both him and Vikramaditya of being dynasts who forgot democratic decency in their pursuit of power.
From campaign trail to character assassination
What was once an electoral battle for Mandi has now turned into a battle of egos — fierce, personal and relentless. Kangana, with her trademark flair, has turned political rallies into theatrical performances.
Vikramaditya, on the other hand, is wielding sarcasm and social media posts like political weapons.
Observers say such fiery exchanges might grab headlines, but they blur the line between public discourse and political showmanship.
Munish Sood
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