She said the opposition party represents something she has been fighting against for a long time
New Delhi:
Kangana Ranaut on Wednesday claimed that she has a “glorious right-wing personality” and accused the Congress of supporting nepotism and specifically targeted leaders Rahul and Priyanka Gandhi.
The actor, who was fielded by the BJP from the Mandi constituency in Himachal Pradesh in the upcoming Lok Sabha polls, also said the Congress “has always been an abhorrent party to me”.
She said the opposition party represents something she has long fought against in her film career.
“The Congress has always been an abhorrent party for me. The nepotism in the party has been hugely problematic for me because I was a target of the same system in my (film) industry. I had openly condemned it, I fought against it. Something that exploited me… Nepotism, groupism, dynastic politics… I despise this party,” Ms Ranaut said at the Times Now Summit 2024 – India Unstoppable event here.
“Nepo kids,” the “Queen” star said when asked to describe the Gandhi siblings in one line.
“They are weird, like they landed from Mars,” she added.
Ms Ranaut, 37, said she has openly supported the BJP.
“Regardless of whether I am a party member or not, I have always fought for the cause of the party. I have left no stone unturned. I have always felt that my natural alignment and ideology lies with a nationalist government. I have a gloriously straight-wing personality,” said the four-time National Award winner.
Days after Ms Ranaut was named the BJP candidate from Mandi, the Congress created a proverbial storm after derogatory comments about the actor and her constituency were posted on the social media of leaders Supriya Shrinate and HS Ahir.
In her defense, Shrinate said Monday that many people have access to her Facebook and Instagram accounts and that one of them made the inappropriate post. She also said she deleted the post and will take action against a parody account using her name.
The actor, who had publicly called out Shrinate over posts shared on her social media accounts, said she was hurt by the opposition leader’s comments.
“This (incident) sets women’s cause back many years. She has posted a very alarming content,” she added.
Shrinate had also hurt the people of Himachal Pradesh by comparing Mandi, a ‘devbhoomi’, to a market, Ms Ranaut further said.
“The significance of Mandi is not what is going on in the minds of the Congress. The innocent people of Himachal Pradesh were deeply hurt as they branded it as if it was a market for flesh trade. Mandi is named after sage Mandav,” she said.
Asked if she had any message for Shrinate, Ms. Ranaut said she has nothing to say to the Congress spokesperson.
Ms Ranaut also said it is ironic that Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, who joined politics with the India Against Corruption campaign, is currently in jail on corruption charges.
Asked about her political debut, she said she is “anxious”.
“It’s a complete change of lifestyle. It’s nerve-wracking. It’s a new role… I’ll be a horse with blinders on. Suddenly this world has opened up. I want to do it right. I want to be more involved in the the real world, rather than being consumed by the art field,” Ms. Ranaut added.
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