Kangana Heads to Mandi: Star-Turned-MP Responds to Flood Fury Amid Political Storm

Coming days after increasing criticism and political jibes, BJP legislator Kangana Ranaut is set to visit rain-hit Mandi district of Himachal Pradesh. The district experienced cloudbursts, flash floods, and landslides, in which at least 14 lives and 31 others are missing. Her late arrival has sparked a political war of words, with opposition and intra-party voices joining in.

SITUATION SNAPSHOT

Mandi district was badly hit on July 2 due to heavy monsoon rains

14 confirmed dead, and over 30 are still missing

A number of villages cut off by road damage and landslides

Red alert imposed by district administration, relief and rescue operations underway

POLITICAL UNDERCURRENTS

Kangana Ranaut was criticized by Congress leaders for failing to report on the first few days of the tragedy

She informed that she was asked by BJP chief and former CM Jai Ram Thakur to delay her visit until road connectivity was resumed

Thakur, nonetheless, avoided the delay, saying he would never speak about people who do not care

Himachal CM Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu took a swipe at BJP, suggesting Kangana must better organize with party leadership

PUBLIC RESPONSE & SOCIAL MEDIA HYPE

Kangana's tweets of sorrow regarding the demolition were met with varied responses

Critics asked her why she stayed in Mumbai while her constituency was suffering

Her allies contended on grounds of safety and accessibility to access the affected zones

LOOKING AHEAD

Kangana has assured constituents that she is on their side and would herself visit the worst-hit areas shortly

Relief operations continue under the central and state coordination and focus on reconnectivity and critical relief supplies.

The episode also reopened controversy regarding celebrity politicians and their ground-level accountability during crisis.

SOURCE The Economic Times, Hindustan Times, Tribune India, Times of India, Indian Express, NewsBytes, MSN India