As Floods Ravage Himachal, Newly-Elected MP Faces Backlash Over Tone-Deaf Comment

Mandi, Himachal Pradesh — As villages drown, homes collapse, and families are swept away by relentless floods in Himachal Pradesh, one comment — one sentence — has ignited a firestorm far beyond the raging waters.

Kangana Ranaut, Bollywood actress-turned-politician and the newly elected BJP Member of Parliament from Mandi, stunned the public with a controversial remark about not being given a Cabinet post, just as her home constituency faced one of the worst natural disasters in recent memory.

“I won the election with such a massive margin… but I have not been offered any Cabinet position,” she said during an interview on July 7th.
“It’s surprising. Perhaps there’s something more to it.”

The remark — made while the Mandi region was submerged in floodwaters — has been widely condemned as tone-deaf, arrogant, and grossly mistimed.

💦 MANDI UNDER WATER, LEADER UNDER FIRE

Even as rescue helicopters hovered over Himachal’s landslide-prone regions, and NDRF teams raced to reach stranded families, Kangana’s words became the headline — not the rescue efforts.

Over 18 people have died across the state due to flash floods, landslides, and crumbling roads

Dozens are missing, while key roadways have been completely washed away

Thousands remain displaced, many in makeshift shelters with little access to food or clean water

And yet, amid the chaos, the representative of one of the worst-hit areas chose to focus — not on relief — but on her own political trajectory.

“The people are homeless, but she’s worried about a chair?” one flood survivor angrily told a local reporter.

https://youtu.be/aVDXR5kH9DU

🔥 SOCIAL MEDIA EXPLODES: #CabinetOverCalamity TRENDS

Within hours, Kangana’s statement went viral — but not in the way she may have hoped.

“This isn’t a movie, Kangana. This is real life. Lead — don’t audition,” one user posted.

“Her people are drowning. And she’s counting ministries.”

“We voted for a protector, not a performer.”

Hashtags like #CabinetOverCalamity, #KanganaInsensitive, and #MandiDeservesBetter trended nationally.

Even BJP supporters voiced concern, with some urging the party to “rein in the narrative before it spirals.”

👀 A PATTERN OF PRIORITIES?

This isn’t Kangana’s first brush with controversy since joining politics. Known for her bold opinions and confrontational style, she’s previously made headlines for:

Calling other female politicians “decorative props”

Clashing with media over questions she deemed “anti-national”

Claiming that “India achieved true freedom in 2014”, a statement widely seen as disrespecting the freedom movement

But this time, critics say, she crossed a line — by prioritizing self-promotion over disaster relief, in the very hour her constituents needed her most.

“This was her moment to rise. She chose to complain instead,” a retired IAS officer remarked.

🛑 BJP DISTANCES ITSELF — FOR NOW

Caught in the crossfire, the BJP leadership has remained largely silent. Sources within the party say the remark has caused “unease at the top levels,” especially as opposition parties begin weaponizing it against the ruling coalition.

Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra wasted no time, tweeting:

“While people in Mandi cry for help, their MP cries for position. This is the face of New India’s politics.”

The Election Commission also received complaints from citizen groups alleging dereliction of duty by the MP during a natural disaster.

👩‍⚖️ KANGANA CLARIFIES — BUT IS IT TOO LATE?

Under mounting pressure, Kangana issued a follow-up statement:

“My comments were taken out of context. I remain committed to the people of Mandi. Relief work is underway and my team is fully involved.”

However, no photos or on-ground video proof of her presence in affected areas have surfaced — prompting further skepticism.

“Even if she didn’t mean it that way, the timing was cruel,” said a political analyst.
“Leadership isn’t just what you say — it’s when and how you say it.”

💬 FINAL WORD: THE POLITICS OF PRIORITY

As Himachal fights a real, visible disaster — with mudslides tearing through roads and lives alike — the people of Mandi are asking a painful question:

“Did we elect a voice for us — or a voice for herself?”

For Kangana Ranaut, the stage has changed.
But if her latest controversy proves anything, it’s this:

In politics, you can’t skip the role of a servant to play the part of a star