Mandi MP Kangana Ranaut likens farmers’ stir to Bangladesh unrest, riles Haryana BJP on poll eve

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, August 25

Triggering a controversy in the middle of poll season in Haryana, Mandi MP and BJP leader Kangana Ranaut “targeted” the farmers, stating their agitation could have led to a Bangladesh-like situation in the country had the top leadership not taken strong measures to control it. She stated this in a video she shared on X.

Sources in the BJP said the MP’s statement had not gone down well with the state leaders. “We have apprised the top brass of the matter,” a BJP leader said.

During the recently held Lok Sabha elections, BJP candidates faced a stiff opposition from farmers while campaigning in the state. Party insiders maintained Ranaut’s statement might serve as a fresh trigger for farmers’ outrage against the party and adversely impact its prospects in certain farmer-centric pockets. “She is not even a leader from Haryana. There was no need for her to make such controversial remarks,” another leader stated.

In the video, Ranaut alleged during the farmers’ protests, “bodies were seen hanging and rapes were taking place”. “When the pro-farmer Bills were withdrawn, the entire country was shocked,” she said in the video. The farmers were still continuing with their protests, she added and blamed “foreign powers” for it.

A BJP leader said at present, there was no resentment among farmers against the party, but Ranaut’s statement could create trouble for the candidates as campaigning progressed. BJP state chief Mohan Lal Badoli said he would comment only after seeing the video, but couldn’t be contacted later. BKU (Shaheed Bhagat Singh) spokesperson Tejveer Singh said, “Ranaut is trying to create a controversy to remain in the limelight. She never spoke on Manipur and other human rights incidents.”