The 2024 Lok Sabha elections have been notably eventful, not least because of Bollywood actress-turned-politician Kangana Ranaut’s remarkable win in the Mandi constituency. The first-time contender recently voiced her thoughts on her electoral success, attributing her victory to the “credibility” of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
In a video that made rounds on social media, Kangana opened up about her triumph in the Mandi constituency. She expressed her admiration and gratitude towards Prime Minister Modi, stating that it was his reliability and integrity that had paved the way for her win. She further highlighted how the Prime Minister’s trustworthiness eased many of her challenges during the campaign. “I owe this victory to PM Modi’s credibility,” she claimed, adding that his solid reputation resonated well with the electorate, significantly contributing to her success.
Kangana also took the opportunity to seek good wishes and blessings from the citizens, expressing optimism about the future of the Mandi region. In her address, she emphasized her commitment to the constituency, suggesting that brighter days lay ahead for Mandi now that she has assumed office. Additionally, she solicited continued media support to effectively communicate her initiatives to the public.
The Election Commission website confirms that Kangana Ranaut defeated her closest rival, Congress candidate Vikramaditya Singh, by a decisive margin of 74,755 votes. Ranaut, a fresh face in the world of politics representing the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), garnered a total of 537,022 votes, marking a commendable start to her political career.
Ranaut’s campaign was notably marked by her portrayal as the “daughter of the soil,” an identity that seemingly resonated with the voters in her home constituency. Not unfamiliar with the spotlight, Ranaut has been an ardent supporter of Prime Minister Modi long before her political ambitions materialized. Her outspoken support has been evident on various contentious issues, including the Citizenship (Amendment) Act in 2019-2020 and the farmers’ protests. She was also among the invitees at the grand consecration ceremony of the idol of Ram Lalla at Ayodhya’s Ram temple, further cementing her alignment with BJP ideals.
Touching on her background, Kangana made her acting debut at the young age of 17 in Anurag Basu’s 2006 film ‘Gangster’. The role earned her the prestigious Filmfare Award for Best Female Debut.
. Her acting journey saw a pivotal turn with the 2008 film ‘Fashion’, which was instrumental in her rise to fame. Over the years, Kangana has carved out a significant niche in the Bollywood industry through remarkable performances in films such as ‘Once Upon a Time in Mumbaai’, ‘Tanu Weds Manu’, ‘Krrish 3’, and the critically acclaimed ‘Queen’. Venturing further, she launched her production house, Manikarnika Films, and is poised to release her directorial debut ‘Emergency’.
Ahead of the elections, as part of her candidacy requirements, Kangana declared substantial personal assets worth over Rs 91.5 crore, coupled with Rs 17 crore in liabilities. Her declarations included 50 LIC policies and financial assets comprising both cash (Rs 1 lakh) and bank deposits amounting to Rs 1.35 crore. Her real estate portfolio is rather extensive, featuring three flats in Mumbai with a combined worth of Rs 16 crore and four commercial units in Chandigarh. In Manali, she owns a lavish bungalow valued at Rs 15 crore, alongside another commercial property.
Her luxury vehicle collection is noteworthy, featuring a Mercedes Maybach priced at Rs 3.91 crore, a BMW worth Rs 98 lakh, and a Mercedes Benz valued at Rs 58 lakh. Additionally, Kangana owns a Vespa scooter worth Rs 53,000. She holds considerable amounts of gold (6.7 kg, worth around Rs 5 crore), silver (60 kg as utensils and ornaments, valued at Rs 50 lakh), and diamond jewelry worth Rs 3 crore.
Kangana Ranaut’s entry into politics and her subsequent win underscore a unique intersection of celebrity influence and political aspirations. As she embarks on her new journey, all eyes are on how she will leverage her platform to bring about positive changes in her constituency, riding on the credibility she so earnestly attributes to Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The dynamics of her political career will undoubtedly be closely watched, as she seeks to transform the faith and support she has garnered into tangible development for Mandi.
