Mandi: Kangana Ranaut, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) candidate from Mandi, is enthusiastic about her chances in the upcoming Lok Sabha elections. She praised the BJP for its strict protocols and commitment to promises, contrasting it with other parties she criticized for not doing the same.

Ranaut, running for her first term in the Lok Sabha from her hometown Mandi, also shared her excitement about the possibility of winning the MP of the Year award if elected.

“As an actress, I’ve won many awards, including the Padma Shri and National Awards. If elected, I will represent the opinions and problems of the people of Mandi and work tirelessly for them. If I receive the Member of Parliament of the Year award in the future, I will be very happy,” said Ranaut.

She praised the BJP, stating, “We take ‘Modi Ki Guarantee’ seriously and follow stricter guidelines from the party, which prevents us from making false promises to win elections. I believe this level of integrity is missing in other parties.”

Addressing issues faced by the people of Mandi, especially apple orchard owners, she said, “Himachal orchards face many challenges. Some owners want more cold storage facilities, while others call for higher import duties. It’s essential to address all these issues.”

In an interview with ANI, she also mentioned her ongoing film projects, including ‘Emergency.’ “I am currently involved in several projects. I was shooting a film with R. Madhavan but paused due to the elections and will resume afterward. I have 3-4 other films lined up, including the Sita Trilogy and a biopic on Noti Binodini.”

Ranaut’s candidacy adds intrigue to the Mandi Lok Sabha race, traditionally a Congress stronghold. She faces a tough challenge from Congress heavyweight Vikramaditya Singh, son of the late former Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh.

Polling in Himachal, scheduled for June 1, will elect Lok Sabha members from four seats and members for six assembly seats that became vacant after the resignation and switch of dissident Congress lawmakers.

The BJP, which won all four Lok Sabha seats in the state in the 2019 elections, aims to repeat its success. Mandi holds symbolic significance for Congress as the stronghold of the Virbhadra family, currently represented by Pratibha Devi Singh, widow of the late leader who won the seat in a bye-election after the death of BJP MP Ram Swaroop Sharma.