Kangana Ranaut on Venturing into Politics and Mandi’s Priorities
In her latest move, Bollywood actor Kangana Ranaut has taken a plunge into the political arena, becoming the Bharatiya Janata Party’s nominee to contest the Lok Sabha polls from Mandi, Himachal Pradesh. As she embarked on her election campaign with a roadshow from Banoha to her native village Bhambla, Ranaut shared insights on her political journey and priorities in an interview with Dar Ovais. Here are the edited excerpts:
Why Politics?
Ranaut expressed that the idea of joining politics had been brewing in her mind for several years. Motivated by a desire to advocate for the welfare of the people who have supported her, she sees it as a natural progression from raising issues of pay parity and women empowerment. Aligning with the BJP provides her with a larger platform to fight for the people.
Role Models:
Swami Vivekananda’s sense of nationalism and Sadhguru’s philosophy of karmayogi have significantly influenced Ranaut. She also acknowledges Prime Minister Narendra Modi as a figure who has shaped her thinking and perspective.
Priorities for Mandi:
Initially, Ranaut aims to secure a victory for the people of Mandi by a significant margin. Once accomplished, her focus will shift towards addressing the various needs of the constituency, including improvements in education, healthcare, and infrastructure. She pledges to be the voice of the people in Parliament and fight for their rights.
Response to Criticism:
Addressing criticism from the Congress regarding her absence during last year’s floods, Ranaut emphasizes that she is simply a part of the public and not in a position of power. She believes accountability lies with elected representatives who should have been present during times of crisis. Ranaut defers to the Election Commission of India to adjudicate on the matter.
Ranaut’s foray into politics adds a new dimension to her multifaceted persona, signaling her commitment to advocate for social change and the welfare of her constituents in Mandi.
