“Giving good competition to comedian Kapil Sharma”: Congress’ Vikramaditya Singh takes dig at Kangana Ranaut

Mandi (Himachal Pradesh) [India], May 22 (ANI): Congress leader and candidate from Mandi, Vikramaditya Singh on Wednesday took a swipe at actor turned politician and BJP candidate from Mandi Kangana Ranaut and said that with her statements, Kangana is giving good competition to comedian Kapil Sharma.

Speaking to ANI, Singh said, “I have just asked tough questions from her (Kangana Ranaut), but she always tries to escape from them alleging that we are anti-women. Her time of entertainment is now completed in Himachal Pradesh. She had given enough statements that people couldn’t stop laughing after listening.”

“She is giving good competition to comedian Kapil Sharma. I think she should go back to Mumbai after June 4 and do films or else she can start a comedy show with Kangana Ranaut,” he added.

Expressing his sympathy with the Leader of the Opposition and former Chief Minister Jairam Thakur, Singh claimed that Thakur along with other BJP leaders is being neglected due to Kangana Ranaut.

“My sympathy is with Jairam Thakur. We know what is happening with BJP MLAs. Jairam Thakur is the former CM, at least give him some respect. Yesterday, Thakur’s bodyguards were asked to step down from the helicopter to accommodate one makeup artist. The people of Mandi are annoyed and not only the people, the workers, leaders, and MLAs of the BJP are agitated,” Singh said.

“Everyone wants and wishes these ten days to be completed soon and she (Kangana Ranaut) returns to Mumbai,” the Congress leader added.

Not known to hold back, the BJP candidate recently stirred a row by reaffirming her earlier statement that the country attained independence to the coming of the BJP-led NDA government, under Prime Minister Narendra Modi, in 2014.

Earlier, in 2022, Kangana claimed that India attained freedom through ‘bheek’ (handout), and ‘real independence’ was achieved in 2014.

The remark drew fury, with many accusing the actor-turned-politician of insulting freedom fighters and India’s struggle for independence.

Earlier, on Monday, black flags were shown and slogans raised against Kangana during her visit to Kaza in the idyllic Lahaul-Spiti district of Himachal.

Some people also chanted “Kangana Ranaut go back” as the actor arrived in the district.

The Mandi constituency holds symbolic significance for the Congress, as it is considered a bastion of the Virbhadra family. The seat is currently held by Pratibha Devi Singh, the late leader’s widow. She wrested the seat for the Congress in the bye-election that was held following the demise of then-BJP MP Ram Swaroop Sharma.

Polling in Himachal, which is scheduled for June 1, will not only pit candidates vying for Lok Sabha membership from four seats but also elect members for six assembly seats that fell vacant following the resignation and switchover of dissident Congress lawmakers.

The BJP, which won all four Lok Sabha constituencies in the state in the 2019 elections, is eyeing an encore this time.