Lagatar24 Desk
New Delhi: Newly-elected BJP MP and Bollywood actress Kangana Ranaut has stirred controversy by asking people in her Lok Sabha constituency, Himachal Pradesh’s Mandi, to bring their Aadhaar Cards if they wish to meet her. This directive has drawn sharp criticism from the Congress party.
Speaking to reporters, Ms. Ranaut explained that the purpose of the visit must also be written down to avoid any inconvenience.
“Himachal Pradesh attracts a lot of tourists, so it is necessary to have an Aadhaar card from the Mandi area. Your work related to the constituency should also be written in the letter so that you don’t have to face inconvenience,” she stated.
She emphasized that the influx of tourists often causes difficulties for local residents, necessitating this measure.
“Tourists come so much that common people face a lot of inconveniences,” Ms. Ranaut added.
She further mentioned that residents from Himachal’s northern region can visit her home in Manali, while those in Mandi can approach her office in the city for their needs.
“It is better when you meet in person regarding your work,” she said.
Congress leader Vikramaditya Singh, who contested and lost to Kangana Ranaut in the Mandi Lok Sabha seat, vehemently opposed her directive, asserting that Aadhaar should not be a prerequisite for meeting a public representative.
“We are people’s representatives. So, it is our responsibility to meet people from every section of the state. Whether it is a small task, a big task, a policy matter, or a personal work, it does not require any identity. If a person is coming to a public representative, they are coming for some work,” Mr. Singh, who also serves as the state Public Works Minister, told reporters.
Mr. Singh, son of six-time Himachal Pradesh chief minister Virbhadra Singh and state Congress chief Pratibha Singh, further criticized Ms. Ranaut’s directive, stating, “Asking people to bring their papers for a meeting is not right.”
As the debate unfolds, the issue highlights the ongoing tension between the newly-elected BJP MP and the Congress party in Himachal Pradesh. The requirement for Aadhaar cards to meet an elected representative has sparked a broader discussion on accessibility and representation in the political landscape.
