Kangana Ranaut's remark on Netaji as India's first PM draws criticism from BRS leader

Kangana Ranaut, a BJP nominee for the Lok Sabha elections in Himachal Pradesh's Mandi constituency, faced backlash from KT Rama Rao, the working president of Bharat Rashtriya Samithi (BRS), after she referred to freedom fighter Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose as "India's first Prime Minister".

In a social media post, KTR mocked Ranaut's statement, questioning the educational background of BJP candidates who make such assertions. He said, "One BJP candidate from North says Subhas Chandra Bose was our first PM!! And another BJP leader from South says Mahatma Gandhi was our PM!! Where did all these people graduate from?"

During a television interview, Ranaut reiterated her belief, asking where Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose went after India gained independence. Her comment drew criticism from Congress leader Supriya Shrinate, who warned against underestimating Ranaut's influence within the BJP.

This isn't the first time Ranaut has courted controversy with her statements. Previously, she claimed that India attained true independence only after Narendra Modi became the Prime Minister in 2014, a remark that sparked widespread criticism.

Ranaut's nomination as a BJP candidate for the Lok Sabha polls was announced on March 24. Expressing her gratitude, she shared the news on Instagram, declaring her unwavering support for the BJP and Prime Minister Modi.

The Mandi Lok Sabha constituency, where Ranaut will contest, has historically been contested by prominent political families. BJP has held a dominant position in recent years, winning three out of four Lok Sabha seats in the region.

Voting in Himachal Pradesh is scheduled for June 1, with Mandi being a key battleground constituency. The BJP aims to retain its stronghold in the area, while Congress seeks to make inroads amidst the political landscape dominated by royal legacies.