Kangana Ranaut Raises Alarm Over Flood Relief Gaps, Says She Has No Cabinet Support

‘No Cabinet, No Funds’: Kangana Ranaut Faces Backlash Over Mandi Flood Relief Remarks.

BJP MP and actor Kangana Ranaut has sparked controversy with her comments during a visit to flood-hit areas of Himachal Pradesh’s Mandi district. Speaking to reporters on Sunday, Ranaut said she did not hold a cabinet post or have funds to provide relief, prompting sharp criticism from the ruling Congress.

“Whether it’s disaster relief or the disaster itself — I don’t have any official cabinet. I have my two brothers with me, they are my cabinet,” she said, smiling. “I do not hold a cabinet position, nor do I have disaster relief funds. MPs have limited roles — our work is largely restricted to Parliament. We are small players in the larger system.”

Her remarks, made amid widespread damage and displacement in Mandi following heavy rains, cloudbursts, and landslides, have drawn flak for being flippant and disconnected from the ground reality.

Congress Slams ‘Insensitive’ Response
The Congress party quickly condemned the comments as “mocking” the suffering of flood victims. Sharing a video clip of Ranaut’s remarks on social media, the party wrote:

“In Mandi, Himachal Pradesh, a cloudburst has caused massive destruction. People are distressed. Mandi’s MP Kangana Ranaut arrived after several days and, laughing, said – ‘What can I do, I don’t have a cabinet position?’ Please show some sensitivity, Kangana ji.”

Congress spokesperson Supriya Shrinate went further, saying Ranaut’s demeanor was inappropriate given the scale of the disaster.
“Kangana ji’s insensitivity has even left BJP’s Jairam Thakur stunned. This is a humanitarian crisis, not a stage for sarcasm,” she said.

Death and Destruction in Mandi
According to the State Emergency Operation Centre, the recent floods and landslides have claimed 14 lives, with 31 people still missing. The destruction includes over 150 homes, 106 cattle sheds, 14 bridges, and widespread damage to roads and basic infrastructure. More than 200 roads remain blocked, and dozens of power transformers and water supply lines are down.

Relief operations continue amid challenging terrain and persistent weather disruptions.

Kangana Defends Role, Targets Congress Govt
Facing criticism over the timing of her visit, Ranaut clarified that she delayed her travel on the advice of former Chief Minister and Leader of Opposition Jairam Thakur due to blocked roads.

“It is heartbreaking to witness the flood devastation in Himachal every year,” she said on X. “I tried reaching the affected areas earlier but was advised to wait until connectivity improved.”

Ranaut said MPs are not responsible for direct relief but play a key role in communicating with the Centre.

“Relief and restoration are the responsibility of the state government. As an MP, I can only inform the prime minister and home minister and request central assistance,” she said.

She also took aim at the Himachal Pradesh government, claiming the Congress would not return to power “for the next 20 years” given its handling of the crisis.

“Our administration is working on the ground, restoring road connectivity and coordinating relief efforts in affected areas,” she added.