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Updated: July 05, 2025 23:13
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