BJP not fielding Kangana Ranaut for campaign in Himachal byelections raises eyebrows
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Mandi: The campaigning for the byelections to three Assembly constituencies in Himachal Pradesh — Nalagarh, Hamirpur and Dehra — ends on Monday (July 8, 2024), with the polling scheduled on July 10.
Both major political parties BJP and Congress have been vigorously campaigning for the past month. Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu, whose wife Kamlesh Thakur is fighting her maiden poll from Dehra, has been at the forefront of the Congress campaign, while the BJP’s efforts have been led by former Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur.
All senior BJP leaders were active in this election campaign, but the absence of the party’s high-profile leader and newly elected Member of Parliament from Mandi Kangana Ranaut has been a point of discussion among voters.
Whether Bollywood actor Kangana Ranaut chose not to participate or the central leadership decided not to involve her remains unclear. However, it is evident that Kangana Ranaut, a prominent young leader from Himachal, did not participate in the campaign even for a single day in this crucial election for the BJP’s reputation.
Political circles are abuzz with speculation as to why the BJP did not deploy Kangana Ranaut in the campaign, especially when senior leaders like Anurag Thakur, state BJP president Dr Rajiv Bindal and former Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur were actively involved.
Kangana recently recorded a historic victory in the General Election from Mandi, demonstrating her popularity by defeating Congress leader Vikramaditya Singh. The BJP had previously recognised her potential by appointing her as a star campaigner in the Lok Sabha elections, where she campaigned beyond Himachal Pradesh as well.
Kangana Ranaut is known for her straightforward and fearless personality, often making bold statements. Her maturity in distinguishing between right and wrong is well-regarded.
However, the immense popularity she garnered post-election might have posed a political challenge. As a dominant personality, her rising political stature might not have been well-received by some BJP members.
Speculations suggest that BJP members themselves may have appealed to the central leadership to keep Kangana away from this election. Political experts believe that if Kangana had campaigned and the BJP had performed well, she would have taken the credit, overshadowing other leaders.
Additionally, the central leadership might have wanted the senior state BJP leaders, who were responsible for the political crisis in the state, to be accountable for winning this byelection.
However, it is also true that setting aside political grudges and involving Kangana in the campaign could have potentially made it easier for the BJP to win. Kangana has emerged as a mature leader in recent elections, changing the public’s perception of her across the state.
While she continues to be a successful actress and remains active in the film industry, her initial foray into politics has been marked by notable success, a feat not easily achieved by many.
Kangana Ranaut’s transition from a celebrated actress to a formidable political figure has been impressive. Her direct approach and ability to connect with the electorate have made her a significant player in Himachal Pradesh’s political landscape.
As a star campaigner, her presence has the potential to galvanize support and influence voter sentiment, making her absence in this by-election campaign all the more striking.
