Kangana Claims Jai Ram Thakur Advised Against Mandi Visit as Congress Mocks BJP

The Himachal Pradesh political scene took an interesting turn when Bollywood actor and BJP leader Kangana Ranaut claimed that she had not visited her home district Mandi on the advice of former Chief Minister and senior BJP leader Jai Ram Thakur.

The remark sparked a political controversy, with the ruling Congress party seizing the moment to taunt the BJP about apparent internal disagreements and confusion within its ranks.

Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu mocked the Opposition, suggesting that Kangana should talk to Thakur since, as he put it, the Leader of the Opposition was "getting angry".

This exchange highlights the charged political atmosphere in Himachal Pradesh, where the BJP and Congress are locked in an intense rivalry, especially ahead of local elections and the high-stakes 2027 Assembly polls.

Background: Kangana’s Political Entry and Mandi Link

Kangana Ranaut, a national award-winning actor known for her strong political views and vocal support for Prime Minister Narendra Modi, recently joined the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and is being projected as a prominent face for the party in Himachal Pradesh.

Born in Bhambla village in Mandi district, Kangana has often expressed pride in her Himachali roots and has spoken about her desire to work for the people of the state.

Her entry into electoral politics was seen as a strategic move by the BJP to energise its support base in Himachal and to counter the Congress government led by CM Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu.

But questions arose recently when Kangana did not visit Mandi despite being in Himachal for political engagements.

Kangana’s Statement on Jai Ram Thakur’s ‘Advice’

Facing questions over why she hadn’t campaigned or held public events in Mandi, Kangana told reporters:

"Jai Ram Thakur ji advised me not to visit Mandi for now, so I followed his advice."

Her comment suggested a tactical or strategic decision within the BJP’s local leadership, possibly aimed at avoiding factional clashes or managing optics around her candidacy.

But this acknowledgement of advice from Thakur also exposed potential rifts or differences in approach between Kangana and senior BJP leaders in the state.

Congress Quickly Pounces for Political Gains

The ruling Congress party in Himachal Pradesh lost no time in exploiting the apparent gap in BJP strategy.

Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu publicly mocked the BJP, saying:

"Kangana ji should speak to Jai Ram Thakur ji since he seems to be getting angry about all this."

This jibe suggested that the Congress sees BJP in disarray, with a high-profile recruit like Kangana being sidelined or at least constrained in her own home district.

Congress leaders also used the episode to portray BJP as confused about its campaign plans in Himachal, hoping to reinforce a narrative of internal contradictions and weak leadership in the Opposition.

Jai Ram Thakur’s Role and BJP Dynamics

Jai Ram Thakur, the former Chief Minister and current Leader of the Opposition in the Himachal Assembly, remains a powerful figure within the BJP in the state, particularly in Mandi district where he enjoys a strong support base.

Political observers note that Kangana’s rise as a potential Lok Sabha candidate or prominent BJP face in Himachal may overlap with Thakur’s influence in Mandi and could lead to turf issues.

While both leaders have publicly expressed respect for each other, backroom tensions and strategic disagreements are not uncommon in such scenarios.

Congress Strategy: Highlight BJP’s Factionalism

For the Congress, this episode was a gift-wrapped opportunity to expose what it sees as factionalism and confusion in BJP ranks.

Party strategists believe that painting the BJP as divided will help shore up Congress unity in the run-up to local body elections and the next Assembly battle.

Chief Minister Sukhu’s direct involvement in mocking Kangana and Thakur signals Congress’s intent to keep the issue alive in public discourse and push BJP on the defensive.

Public Reaction and Media Spotlight

Kangana’s statement quickly went viral, triggering wide debate on social media and news channels:

• Supporters of Kangana argued that she was being honest and respectful of party strategy.

• Critics said it showed she was being sidelined or lacked political independence.

• Many saw it as evidence of poor coordination within BJP Himachal.

The media coverage also amplified Congress’s taunts, ensuring the controversy dominated headlines in Himachal’s political circles for days.

Implications for BJP’s Himachal Strategy

The episode underscores the challenges facing BJP as it tries to balance national star power with local leadership dynamics.

While Kangana’s celebrity appeal and Himachali identity are seen as major electoral assets, her integration into the party’s existing power structure is proving complex:

• BJP will need to manage expectations among local leaders like Thakur.

• The party will have to craft a coherent, united message to voters.

• It will also have to ensure Kangana’s campaigning complements, rather than conflicts with, established leaders’ strategies.

Kangana’s Political Future

Despite this controversy, Kangana remains a central figure in BJP’s Himachal plans:

• She is widely seen as a likely Lok Sabha candidate from Mandi in 2029.

• Her massive popularity among certain voter segments is a valuable electoral resource.

• BJP leaders know they cannot afford to alienate her or appear divided around her role.

Observers expect that backchannel negotiations will continue to iron out differences and ensure a unified BJP campaign front.

Congress's Larger Plan

For the ruling Congress, keeping the spotlight on such BJP tensions is a deliberate tactic:

• The party knows Himachal has a tradition of anti-incumbency, with power shifting every five years.

• To break that cycle, Congress must show strong governance and exploit every opportunity to fracture the Opposition’s image.

• Kangana’s statement handed them an easy talking point to paint BJP as disorganised and bickering.

By making this a public spectacle, Congress hopes to demoralise BJP workers and sow doubts among voters about BJP’s readiness to govern.

Conclusion: A Snapshot of Himachal’s Charged Politics

Ultimately, Kangana’s simple admission—that she followed Jai Ram Thakur’s advice not to visit Mandi—has become a symbol of the deep political rivalry in Himachal Pradesh:

• For BJP, it is a lesson in managing star power and local leadership carefully.

• For Congress, it is an opportunity to highlight apparent rifts in the Opposition.

• For voters, it is yet another reminder that personality politics, strategy, and local rivalries will define the battle for Himachal in the years ahead.

As both parties gear up for upcoming local body elections and set the stage for 2027, expect more sharp exchanges, strategic missteps, and public taunts.

What’s clear is that every word and gesture will be scrutinised in this high-stakes fight for Himachal Pradesh—a state where political fortunes can swing dramatically and every vote matters.

Kangana Claims Jai Ram Thakur Advised Against Mandi Visit as Congress Mocks BJP

The Himachal Pradesh political scene took an interesting turn when Bollywood actor and BJP leader Kangana Ranaut claimed that she had not visited her home district Mandi on the advice of former Chief Minister and senior BJP leader Jai Ram Thakur.

The remark sparked a political controversy, with the ruling Congress party seizing the moment to taunt the BJP about apparent internal disagreements and confusion within its ranks.

Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu mocked the Opposition, suggesting that Kangana should talk to Thakur since, as he put it, the Leader of the Opposition was "getting angry".

This exchange highlights the charged political atmosphere in Himachal Pradesh, where the BJP and Congress are locked in an intense rivalry, especially ahead of local elections and the high-stakes 2027 Assembly poll

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