Why BJP is banking on Kangana Ranaut to breach Congress stronghold of Mandi

Congress spokesperson Supriya Shrinate is at the centre of a controversy over a social media post on BJP's Mandi candidate Kangana Ranaut.

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) announced Bollywood actor Kangana Ranaut's candidature from the Mandi parliamentary seat in Himachal Pradesh, a stronghold of the Congress party.

Even as Ranaut made her entry into the world of politics now, she has been giving hints since the last few years. During her visit to Dwarkadhish temple in Gujarat last year, Ranaut had said she would fight the Lok Sabha elections if Lord Krishna blessed. In 2022, before the Assembly elections in Himachal Pradesh, Ranaut had said it would be great “if people in Himachal Pradesh would give me a chance to serve”. Reportedly, her great-grandfather, Sarju Singh Ranaut, was a Congress MLA.

Ranaut (37) has also been an ardent admirer of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and backed the BJP on various issues including the Citizenship Amendment Act. However, it is not just Ranaut who supported the BJP. In 2020, the party led a campaign to support the actor in Himachal Pradesh after her controversial remarks on Mumbai created a stir. She had compared Mumbai to Pakistan-occupied Kashmir.

Mandi is regarded as a Congress pocket borough. The Congress won nine elections and a by-poll from this Lok Sabha seat. The BJP had won two consecutive elections in 2014 and 2019 but lost this seat in the 2021 by-polls to Congress leader Pratibha Singh.

Local factor

Besides being a popular face, Ranaut also has the advantage of being a local. She hails from Bhambla in the Mandi district. She also has a house in Manali which is also part of the Mandi constituency. Pratibha Singh and the late Virbhadra Singh, who won nine elections from this seat, were not residents of Mandi.

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“This is my birthplace. The people of this land have called me back. This is a very emotional day for me and my family. I will leave no stone unturned to serve them. We will soon launch a big election campaign,” Ranaut told India Today.

Perfect candidate to woo women

The turnout of women voters has been steadily increasing with every election. According to a report by SBI’s Economic Research Department, the rate of polling could touch 68 crore, of which women voters could be at 33 crore. Thus, various political parties are all out to attract women voters. They are also focusing their campaigns on women development. While the Congress has promised women “Nari Nyay" guarantees, the BJP has assured of various benefits, if voted to power. Watch here. 

For the upcoming Lok Sabha polls, the BJP till March 25 announced candidates for 398 seats. It fielded 66 women or almost 17 percent of all the candidates it has announced. In 2009, 45 of the BJP’s 433 Lok Sabha candidates were women. In 2014, 38 of its 428 candidates were women. In 2019, there were 55 women among its 436 contestants.

In such a scenario, parties are likely to field women icons who have influence across the country among young women. Ranaut may fit the bill. Ranuat's influence among young aspirational women, especially new voters who include more women than men, may be the biggest recommendation for her in electoral politics.

Influence on voters

The BJP may also benefit from the growing factionalism in the Congress unit. According to news agency ANI, Pratibha Singh has expressed her wish to not contest the poll from Mandi, thereby making the electoral race smoother for Ranaut. Singh is allegedly upset with the Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu government.

In a situation where the ruling Congress faces rebellion in its ranks, Ranaut’s Rajput caste might also influence voters of that community across North India.

Himachal Pradesh will vote on June 1 along with Punjab in the upcoming Lok Sabha elections.