Lagatar24 Desk
New Delhi: The Congress party has issued a stern warning to BJP MP Kangana Ranaut after she accused the Himachal Pradesh government of diverting disaster relief funds to Sonia Gandhi. The Congress has demanded that Ranaut either retract her statement or face legal action for defamation.
Vikramaditya Singh, Himachal Pradesh’s Public Works Department Minister, expressed outrage over the claim and urged the actor-politician to provide proof of her allegations. “If Kangana does not retract her statement… we will sue for defamation. It is extremely unfortunate that she made such a statement against a leader of Sonia Gandhi’s stature,” he said.
Congress Slams Kangana’s Remarks
Singh dismissed Ranaut’s comments as baseless and accused her of “intellectual bankruptcy.” He also pointed out that BJP had previously reprimanded her for controversial remarks, particularly regarding the farmers’ protest.
“The BJP has already cautioned her… but it seems she hasn’t learned from her party’s warnings,” Singh remarked.
The specific allegation made by Ranaut—that the Congress government in Himachal Pradesh is diverting funds from the central government to Sonia Gandhi—has been labeled as defamatory by Congress. Singh explained that all central funds are audited and accounted for. “I challenge her to show proof of even Re 1 being diverted to Sonia Gandhi,” he added.
Legal Threat
Singh warned that if Kangana does not produce evidence or apologize within a week, the Congress will file a criminal defamation case against her. “She must apologize for her defamatory and baseless allegations, or face legal consequences,” he said.
Kangana’s Allegations at a Rally
On Sunday, during a membership drive, Kangana Ranaut accused the Congress of mishandling disaster relief funds. “If we give disaster funds, they should go to the Chief Minister’s Relief Fund… but everyone knows they go to the Sonia Relief Fund,” she claimed, while also criticizing Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu.
Kangana also took a personal dig at her political rival, Vikramaditya Singh, ahead of the Mandi Lok Sabha elections, accusing him of failing to address issues like potholes on roads.
Himachal Pradesh’s Financial Crisis
Himachal Pradesh has been grappling with a financial crisis, worsened by landslides, floods, and heavy rains over the past year. In response, the state government has deferred salaries for two months. The central government has also extended financial aid, including ₹ 11,500 crore to be distributed among flood-affected states.
Meanwhile, Kangana Ranaut continues to face legal troubles over her upcoming film, ‘Emergency’, based on the 1975 political crisis under former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi. The film has sparked controversy among Sikh organizations, who allege it misrepresents their community.
As the Bombay High Court hears arguments over the film, Kangana remains in the spotlight for her outspoken political views.
