Shimla (Himachal Pradesh): Though it is a lesser-known fact, Bollywood actress Kangana Ranaut, who is currently engaged in a bitter war-of-words with the Shiv Sena-led government in Maharashtra, has links with the Congress, which is also part of the ruling alliance in the western Indian state.
Kangana's great-grandfather Thakur Sarju Singh has been a stalwart of the Congress and was also elected as an MLA.
However, the Himachal Pradesh Congress is seemingly in a helpless situation, not being able to openly support Kangana, who hails from the state. Further the party is also not in a state to openly criticise the actress.
Congress in the Uddhav Thackeray government in Maharashtra is compelled to fight against Kangana, but the Himachal Pradesh unit cannot do so openly - the reason being that an emotional slogan of 'daughter of Himachal' being associated with the actress.
If the Himachal Pradesh Congress opposes Kangana, it will risk facing the displeasure of the people of it's own state.
Vikramaditya Singh, the young son of former Congress Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh, came out in support of Kangana on social media, but also tried to tow the thin political line.
In the first line of his post, Vikramaditya described Kangana as Himachal's daughter and said everyone was proud of her. The young Congress MLA also made it clear that this wass not a political issue.
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He appealed to the Maharashtra government to ensure the safety of Kangana.
However, at the end of the post, Vikramaditya did not miss giving out a piece of advice to Kangana, requesting her to take care of the dignity of her words while commenting on the Chief Minister of Maharashtra.
Similarly, Congress Legislature Party leader Mukesh Agnihotri and senior Congress leader and former state party president Sukhvindra Singh Sukhu also commented on the same lines, indicating that even if they do not want to, Himachal Congress leaders will have to support Kangana.
On the other hand, Himachal BJP has openly come out in support of Kangana. The head of the BJP Mahila Morcha even went so far as to say that the bungalow of Congress General Secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra in Himachal would also be demolished.
However, Chief Minister Jairam Thakur quickly clarified, describing it as a statement given in emotion and said that Priyanka has built a house here and its security is the responsibility of the state government.
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At the same time, all the leaders of Himachal BJP, especially from Mandi district have been extremely vocal in their support for Kangana.
Kangana Ranaut originally hails from Bhambla village in Mandi district. This village is located on the border of Mandi and Hamirpur district. Kangana has even built her home in Manali.
Ever since the Maharashtra government took action against Kangana, there has been a visible wave of affection and sympathy for Kangana all over Himachal.
In such a situation, it is not possible for Himachal Congress to speak out against Kangana and it might also harm them from a political point of view.
Meanwhile, Kangana's family has also developed a spurt of love for BJP due to Y category protection given to her from the Central Government.
Kangana's mother Asha Ranaut has openly praised Home Minister Amit Shah. The family which once had a Congress background, has now seemingly switched over to the BJP camp.
Further, the actress has also questioned as to why interim Congress president Sonia Gandhi is silent about the injustice done to a woman.
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