Mandi MP Kangana Ranaut Confronted with 'Go Back' Slogans During Visit to Flood-Affected Himachal Areas

Newly elected Mandi MP and acclaimed actor Kangana Ranaut found herself at the centre of a heated public confrontation during her recent visit to flood-affected regions in Himachal Pradesh. The visit, intended to connect with her constituency, quickly turned contentious as disgruntled villagers in Purani Mandi, still reeling from the devastating flash floods of July 2023, met her with vehement 'Go back Kangana Ranaut' slogans and accusations of a delayed response.

The air was thick with frustration as residents, whose homes and livelihoods were shattered by the relentless monsoon fury last year, voiced their profound disappointment.

Many asserted that other public figures and relief efforts had reached them much earlier, questioning Ranaut's timing. 'Kangana Ranaut, you are late!' resonated through the affected localities, encapsulating the deep-seated anger over what they perceived as a lack of immediate support from their elected representative during their most desperate hours.

For these villagers, the scars of submerged homes, lost possessions, and disrupted lives were still raw, and their expectation for swift intervention from their leaders was paramount.

Responding to the palpable ire, Ranaut, newly sworn in as a parliamentarian, addressed the crowd, attempting to clarify her position and timeline.

She asserted that this particular visit was part of her 'thank you' tour post-elections, a broader effort to engage with her constituency after securing her victory. However, she acknowledged the opportunity to simultaneously review the progress of rehabilitation in areas previously ravaged by natural calamities.

Ranaut firmly stated that she had indeed visited the flood-affected areas back in July 2023, immediately after the initial devastation, and had also distributed essential relief materials to those impacted.

She explained that her subsequent inability to visit sooner was due to her demanding schedule, which included her intense election campaign followed by parliamentary duties in Delhi. She informed the public that she had, in fact, met with the Chief Secretary to discuss comprehensive flood relief measures for the state, emphasizing her commitment to her people, albeit within the constraints of her new political responsibilities.

The incident underscores the intense scrutiny and high expectations placed upon elected representatives, particularly in regions prone to natural disasters.

While Ranaut defended her actions and commitment, the confrontation highlighted the urgent need for timely and visible support in times of crisis, and the profound impact of perceived delays on the morale and trust of the affected populace. The emotional exchange served as a stark reminder of the challenges faced by public figures in balancing their various roles with the immediate, pressing needs of their constituents.