Mandi floods: Kangana hits out at Himachal govt over disaster handling; claims Congress won’t return to power for 20 years | India News
NEW DELHI: BJP MP and actor Kangana Ranaut on Sunday visited her flood-hit constituency of Mandi in Himachal Pradesh and launched a scathing attack on the Congress over its handling of relief work. She claimed that if things continued this way, Congress would not return to power in the state for the next 20 years.Ranaut visited Thunag panchayat, one of the worst-affected areas following a cloudburst on Tuesday, which led to flash floods, landslides and widespread destruction. “I am deeply pained to see the plight of the people. They have lost family members, houses have been washed away, several people are still missing, but we can only console the families who have lost their kin, and now it is time to provide relief,” she told reporters.At least 14 people have died, while 31 remain missing. The disaster damaged more than 150 houses, 106 cattle sheds, 31 vehicles, 14 bridges and several roads. According to the state emergency operation centre, 200 roads remain blocked, 236 transformers are out of service and 278 supply schemes have been affected. A total of 164 cattle have perished.Ranaut clarified her role as a Member of Parliament during natural disasters. “The relief and restoration works have to be done by the state government, and as an MP, I can only apprise the prime minister and the home minister about the situation and seek liberal assistance,” she said. “We are the link between the state and the central government,” she added.Facing criticism from the Congress over her absence from Mandi earlier, Ranaut said she was advised by Leader of the Opposition Jai Ram Thakur to wait until roads were cleared. “Red alert is issued in Mandi. Awaiting authorities’ approval on the same; will be there as soonest possible, reached Mandi on Sunday – the day of red warning,” she posted on X.
