SHIMLA/MANDI: Vikramaditya Singh, the PWD Minister and scion of the illustrious Virbhadra Singh family, has launched a blistering assault on Bollywood actress turned politician Kangna Ranaut, accusing her of being a "fair weather Beti" to the flood-hit victims of Mandi-Kullu and Manali.
Singh, who hails from the political powerhouse of Himachal Pradesh, minced no words as he called out Ranaut's purported indifference to flood victims during one of the state's worst natural disasters in 2023.
Singh's fiery accusations came as he challenged Ranaut's claim as "Mandi ki Beti," labeling her a "fair weather Beti," and demanding answers for her absence during the crisis.
The political tempest has stirred up Mandi's electoral battleground, with Singh daring Ranaut to confront the harsh realities of her alleged neglect towards the suffering masses.
Despite the fact that Congress has not declared its candidate officially so far from Mandi, Singh has set the stage for a high-voltage showdown, challenging Ranaut's claims of being the "daughter of Mandi."
Singh's barrage of accusations didn't stop there. He questioned Ranaut's selective memory, highlighting her purported absence during the catastrophic floods that ravaged the region.
"Pratibha Singh and and me as PWD minister visited Sarkaghat including Bhambla, native village of Kangna Ranaut", he said adding, "Kangna is like my elder sister and welcome her as a BJP candidate in politics".
But she did not move out from the comforts of her Bollywood life to see the plight of Bhambla and Manali, where her home is located, what to talk about helping flood victims”, Vikramaditya said on social media.
Singh's rhetoric was scathing as he denounced Ranaut's self-proclaimed title of "Mandi ki Beti" (Daughter of Mandi), labeling her instead as a "fair weather Beti," only visible during opportune moments of political ambition.
The Minister spared no detail, recounting the devastation wrought upon Mandi, Kullu, and Manali, contrasting Ranaut's alleged apathy with the proactive engagement of himself and other leaders.
Singh emphasized the importance of consistent support for the people who need their true well-wishers.
He criticized Ranaut for what he perceives as a lack of genuine concern for the people of Mandi.
Singh's verbal onslaught didn't end there.
He questioned Ranaut's sincerity, challenging her to clarify her actions during the crisis and saying that Kangna owes answers to the voters.
The political landscape of Mandi now simmers with anticipation as Singh's verbal salvos set the stage for a fierce electoral battle.
As the Congress remains mum on its official candidate from Mandi, Singh's impassioned rhetoric against Ranaut injects a new dimension of intensity into the unfolding political drama.
There are talks it could be Pratibha Singh or Vikramaditya Singh or tribal leader Jagat Singh Negi or altogether a new face to take on the star Kangna.
With the stage set for a showdown, the battle for Mandi's parliamentary seat promises to be one for the history books.
