Deliberate move or coincidence, leaders wary of newly elected MP’s popularity
MANDI: Mandi’s newly elected Member of Parliament and Bollywood actress Kangana Ranaut may have celebrated a significant victory in the recent election, but her triumph is now shrouded in controversy and apparent isolation.
Despite winning the seat and raising her flag high, Kangana seems to be navigating a rocky political landscape in former Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur’s home region.
In her first visit to Mandi after becoming an MP, Kangana inaugurated the “‘Saansad Samvad Kendra’ (MP communication centre) amidst surprising circumstances.
Not a single BJP MLA from the Mandi parliamentary constituency — 12 of the 17 are from the saffron party — attended the event. The absence was glaring as Kangana, a high-profile figure, had to inaugurate her office alone with no apparent support from her party colleagues.
From the BJP, only state vice-president Payal Vaidya, Mandi BJP president Nihal Chand and Mandal president Manish Kapoor were present, and their presence appeared purely formal.
The notable absence of any MLA has sparked discussions in political circles. Initially, Kangana’s decision to stay away from the byelections to the three Assembly constituencies in Himachal Pradesh raised eyebrows, and now her solo inauguration has fuelled further speculation about her political future.
During the General Election, Jai Ram, all BJP MLAs and other leaders stood by Kangana. Wherever she went for campaigning, the MLA concerned and the former CM accompanied her. However, now that she has won the election and become an MP, it appears everyone has distanced themselves from her.
The situation cannot be dismissed lightly. The BJP put significant effort into securing this victory, defeating powerful Congress minister Vikramaditya Singh. Now, the apparent indifference towards the MP raises questions.
In a recent press conference, Kangana Ranaut’s incomplete knowledge about the Mandi parliamentary constituency was evident, and no senior BJP leader was present to correct her mistakes. She left journalists questioning her political acumen and wondering if Kangana, who descended into politics like a parachute, has what it takes to succeed.
When approached for comments, some MLAs mentioned they were unaware of any such event, while others cited their busy schedule as the ‘Saansad Samvad Kendra’ was opened on the day of polling for the byelections (July 10). According to sources, Kangana had invited all the MLAs to the event, but everyone made excuses, leaving her to handle the event alone.
Sundernagar MLA and BJP’s chief spokesperson Rakesh Jamwal said he was on duty for the Dehra byelections, hence his absence. Karsog MLA Deep Raj Kapoor said he was present in Nalagarh, while Balh MLA Inder Singh Gandhi also cited busyness with the byelections.
Mandi MLA Anil Sharma stated he had to go to Delhi to meet Union Health Minister Jagat Prakash Nadda and informed Kangana about his prior commitments. Another MLA claimed he was not informed about the event. A senior BJP leader mentioned they still do not understand Kangana’s working style and her future plans.
Political experts suggest that Kangana’s significant fame may not be well-received by BJP leaders. Some leaders might feel overshadowed by her and may not want her to advance further.
They believe MLAs support Jai Ram Thakur and are reluctant to see Kangana becoming stronger in Mandi. This collective distancing from Kangana seems to be a strategic move.
Jai Ram Thakur, when approached, acknowledged he was informed about the event but could not attend due to the byelections. The timing of Kangana’s office inauguration during the election period has also raised questions. Political analysts argue that Kangana should have coordinated with state leaders to ensure better support for her initiatives.
Experts believe Kangana, being new to politics, needs to advance by coordinating with everyone. “Although she won under central pressure and on Modi’s name, the future path is thorny.
She will need the support of MLAs and Jai Ram’s blessings to navigate state politics effectively. People will now see Kangana not as an actress but as an MP, and for that, she must work for the public and coordinate with all leaders and MLAs in the Mandi parliamentary constituency,” say the experts.
