BJP's Mandi MP Kangana Ranaut was summoned by party President and Union Health Minister J.P. Nadda on Thursday, days after the party distanced itself from her recent controversial comments regarding the 2020-21 farmers' protests.
Ranaut met with Nadda at his residence in Delhi, where they reportedly discussed her remarks, which have caused significant embarrassment for the BJP ahead of the crucial Haryana Assembly elections.
The meeting, which lasted about half an hour, came just before Nadda participated in the Haryana core group meeting to finalize the list of candidates for the upcoming polls. The BJP's Central Election Committee is set to formally approve these candidates.
Ranaut's comments, made during a media interview in Mumbai, have sparked backlash from various quarters, particularly in Haryana, one of the epicenters of the farmers' protests. The protests, which lasted a year, ended after Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced the repeal of the contentious farm laws. In her statement, Ranaut compared the protests to a foreign conspiracy, referencing violence and unrest similar to what happened in Bangladesh.
Her remarks have given opposition parties an opportunity to criticize the BJP, especially with the Haryana Assembly elections approaching in October. The BJP's performance in the state has been under scrutiny after it lost five of its ten seats in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, while Congress increased its vote share significantly.
Prominent leaders like Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann and Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhwinder Singh Sukhu have condemned Ranaut's statements, emphasizing the importance of respecting farmers. Meanwhile, Aam Aadmi Party workers in Haryana staged protests against her remarks.
Ranaut, known for her controversial opinions, was reminded by Nadda not to speak out of turn, particularly at a time when the BJP is preparing for crucial state elections. The party is keen to avoid any further controversies that could harm its prospects in the upcoming polls.