Controversy erupts in Mandi as BJP ‘bars’ outspoken candidate Kangana Ranaut from speaking to local media
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Private PR agency from Delhi hired for campaign releasing ‘calculated information to media’
The Newz Radar
MANDI: Even as the Congress grapples with the selection of candidates for the Lok Sabha elections in Himachal Pradesh, BJP’s Mandi nominee Kangana Ranaut has been vigorously canvassing in her constituency.
A Bollywood actress, Kangana’s entry into the political arena has sparked both anticipation and controversy. The BJP’s strategic distancing of Kangana from local media outlets reflects a calculated move to mitigate the risk of her candid and independent voice overshadowing the party’s electoral narrative. This calculated distance, however, has raised eyebrows, with observers speculating on the potential impact on the BJP’s electoral prospects in the Mandi constituency.
Sources said the central party leadership in Delhi had implemented restrictions on Kangana, prohibiting her from engaging with local media for interviews. “Citing concerns over her outspoken nature which has led to past controversies, the party fears that interactions with local media could result in further reputational damage,’ they said.
On Monday (April 1, 2024), a closed-door meeting was convened by BJP officials at Mandi’s Bhimakali Mata temple premises to plan their strategy. While the BJP provided information to local media outlets about the meeting, access for coverage remained limited, signalling a controlled narrative.
Deploying private media channels, Kangana’s team has meticulously orchestrated a campaign, disseminating press releases and images to media outlets in Mandi parliamentary constituency via WhatsApp. However, the deliberate exclusion of local media from the meeting hall has fuelled speculation and heightened curiosity among voters regarding Kangana’s political agenda.
“The absence of a video release of Kangana’s address by the private PR agency underscores a concerted effort to control the narrative and limit media exposure. As the Lok Sabha elections unfold, questions loom over the BJP’s electoral strategy and whether its decision to field Kangana would yield dividends or pose challenges,” said a political analyst.
